Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) signaled Wednesday evening that he supports President Trump’s decision to open direct communication with Hamas on the release of hostages amid the militant group’s fragile ceasefire with Israel.
“It looks like the administration’s directly negotiating with Hamas. Do you like that, or you don’t like that? How do you feel?” Fox News’s Jesse Watters asked Graham.
The Republican senator responded that he doesn’t mind what the president does, “because I trust Trump.” He pointed to Trump’s recent post on Truth Social that called for the remaining hostages in Gaza to be released “immediately.”
“Trump sent out a tweet today, ‘Release the hostages or you will be destroyed,’ and that’s the kind of leadership we need,” Graham told the host, according to a clip highlighted by Mediaite.
“I trust Trump, as long as he’s in the room, I’m OK,” Graham added.
The White House on Wednesday confirmed that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff would hold direct negotiations with Hamas — which is a U.S.-designated a terrorist organization — on the release of hostages.
“Israel was consulted on this matter,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday during a press briefing. “Dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people, is something that the president has proven, what he believes is good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people.”
Trump issued a stark warning on Wednesday to the Palestinian group.
“’Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”
The president also met with eight of the released hostages to listen to their “heartbreaking stories,” per the White House.
Hamas has seemingly brushed off the threat, doubling down on its request for a full truce.
During his appearance on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Graham also commented on the three-year-long war in Ukraine.
“It is now time to find a way to end this war. The minerals deal is a good deal,” Graham said, referencing a potential deal between the two countries. “A half a trillion dollars to us, money for the Ukraine, American expertise.”
The comments come as tensions remain between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following an Oval Office spat earlier this month around ending the war. The future of the mineral deal is still in limbo — though both sides have appeared optimistic that it will come to fruition.
