Hasan Piker and Other Political Firebrands Are Celebrating Lindsey Graham’s Passing With Brutal Takedowns of His Legacy
Remembering Lindsey Graham.
Lindsey Graham’s death has ignited a firestorm of reactions from political commentators, with far-left streamers and activists celebrating his passing and brutally dissecting his legacy. Hasan Piker, the popular left-wing streamer, didn’t hold back in a recent YouTube video, calling the late South Carolina senator a “bloodthirsty odious monster who loved war.” Piker’s takedown was just one of many scathing responses from figures across the political spectrum.
According to Fox News, Graham, 71, died on Saturday, July 11, 2026, after suffering from an aortic dissection linked to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, per the medical examiner’s report. The findings are still preliminary, with toxicological and microscopic testing pending. But while some politicians and allies rushed to honor his memory, others saw his passing as an opportunity to highlight what they viewed as his most damaging policies.
Piker’s video was particularly blunt. “There was never a war that Lindsey Graham did not fall in love with,” he said, framing Graham as a relentless advocate for military intervention. Piker also mocked the media’s portrayal of Graham as a polite, statesmanlike figure, dismissing it as a sanitized version of his true impact. “We of course don’t do that here on the HasanAbi broadcast,” he added, signaling his refusal to sugarcoat the senator’s record.
The streamer wasn’t alone in his criticism
Ana Kasparian, co-host of The Young Turks, responded to news of Graham’s death on X with just two words: “Good riddance.” Far-right commentator Nick Fuentes echoed the sentiment, posting the same phrase.
Cenk Uygur, another co-creator of The Young Turks, took a more satirical approach, imagining Graham trying to convince Hades to launch an attack on Zeus and Poseidon in the afterlife. “He says it’ll only take a couple of weeks and won’t require any ground troops,” Uygur quipped. “And there’s no way Poseidon can close the Strait.”
Even Steve Schmidt, a former MSNBC analyst and co-founder of the Lincoln Project, weighed in with a harsh assessment. In a Substack post, Schmidt called Graham a “lonely and unprincipled man who betrayed his country for power and his decency for attention.” The criticism from both sides of the aisle underscores just how polarizing Graham’s legacy has become.
Not everyone was eager to pile on
President Donald Trump paid tribute to Graham on Truth Social, calling him a “true American Patriot” who was “always working.” Trump’s post was effusive, declaring, “Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! So sad!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Graham, recalling how the senator often pushed for more U.S. military aid to Israel than the Israeli government even requested. Netanyahu told Fox News that Graham “went ballistic” when he suggested phasing out U.S. assistance, framing the late senator as a tireless advocate for Israel’s security.
Graham’s foreign policy record was a major flashpoint in the reactions to his death
Over his decades-long career, he was one of the most vocal supporters of military interventions, from the 2003 invasion of Iraq to the recent U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. His hawkish stance earned him both admirers and detractors, with some critics accusing him of prioritizing war over diplomacy.
Michael Hanna, U.S. program director at the International Crisis Group, told Al Jazeera that Graham’s legacy would be defined by his advocacy for military solutions and his unwavering support for Trump. Graham’s unconditional backing of Israel was another defining aspect of his career. He frequently called for increased military aid to the country, even posing with a sign that read “More for Israel” during a 2021 visit.
In 2024, he said that Israel should “do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state,” even suggesting that nuclear strikes could be justified. “Why is it OK for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war?” he asked. “I thought it was OK. So, Israel, do whatever the hell you have to do to defend yourself.”
His comments drew sharp condemnation from Palestinian advocates, including Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network. Abudayyeh called Graham “another criminal warmonger who met his end supporting death and destruction around the world.” He added that Graham’s eulogies from figures like Netanyahu and far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir spoke volumes about his legacy.
His relationship with Trump was another complicated chapter
The two were frequent golf buddies and allies, but their bond wasn’t always smooth. In 2016, Graham called Trump a “race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot” during his own presidential run, even labeling him a “kook” who was “unfit for office.”
But as Trump consolidated power within the Republican Party, Graham pivoted, becoming one of his most loyal supporters. Hanna described the shift as puzzling, noting that while Graham had Trump’s ear, it’s unclear what he gained from the alliance beyond proximity to power.
Graham’s death also highlights a growing generational divide within the Republican Party. Younger conservatives and Democrats are increasingly skeptical of military interventions and unconditional support for Israel, a shift that could reshape the party’s foreign policy priorities.
Right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson noted that Graham’s deep commitment to American interventionism would be his defining legacy. “He felt strongly that the U.S. government should commit its attention to the needs of countries besides the United States, and he stuck to that belief until his dying day,” Carlson wrote.
Hanna suggested that while Graham’s death might not immediately alter U.S. foreign policy, it reflects broader tensions within the parties. “There is an interesting moment of friction, not necessarily just between the parties, but within the parties as well,” he said. “There is certainly a generational dimension to that.”
(Featured image: Morgan.rice.bassline.design)
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