‘That’s what Lindsey wanted’: Trump accused of putting words in Graham’s mouth on sanctions bill
"Trump using the dead to push his personal agendas is so spot on for him," one critic said.
Ryan Cooper 
President Donald Trump is facing sharp criticism for allegedly “exploiting” the death of Senator Lindsey Graham to advocate for his own policy goals. The controversy centers on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which now carries the late South Carolina senator's name.
Trump invokes Graham to push for new tariffs
During a Wednesday press appearance, President Trump expressed a desire to expand the legislation, suggesting it should include tariffs on nations that purchase Iranian oil. “I’d like them to add Iran as tariffs, not just the sanctions. I think it’s important. That’s what Lindsey wanted,” Trump stated. He argued that the measure would be “much stronger” if it applied to both Russia and Iran.
However, the assertion that the late senator requested these specific oil tariffs has met with skepticism. There is no record of Graham issuing public statements supporting such tariffs prior to his sudden passing earlier this month.
Social media pushback
The president’s comments ignited a firestorm of backlash on X, with many users accusing him of using the memory of a deceased colleague for political leverage. John Jackson posted: “When in doubt, exploit dead people by saying things they never said, despite being on camera all the time.”
Other critics were equally blunt. User @trueglib remarked, “After all, government of the Lindsey, by the Lindsey, and for the Lindsey is what the framers had in mind,” while @g2glen wrote, “Trump using the dead to push his personal agendas is so spot on for him.” Another user, @kes1doc_karen, quipped that the administration is “literally just 1-2 news cycles away from Donnie saying ‘I’m going to give everyone a pony for Christmas, because that’s what Lindsey wanted.’”
The legislative debate continues as the Senate advanced the current version of the bill—which includes sanctions on Iran but excludes the oil tariffs—with an 86-12 procedural vote on Tuesday.
