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Lindsey Graham is trying to play peacemaker between Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell ahead of the 2022 midterm elections when Republicans try to retake control of the Senate.
Republicans have feared a GOP primary clash between Trump-back contenders versus McConnell-supported candidates would be a losing proposition for the party. Many worry the inter-party fighting will hurt them at the ballot box next November.
Two senators told The Hill newspaper that Graham was trying to smooth things over between the two men, whose rift has grown wider as Trump left office and lobbied attack after attack on McConnell, who didn't support Trump's attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
'Lindsey was with the president this last weekend. From what I understand Trump said something complimentary about Mitch,' said a Republican senator, who described Graham's efforts to help bury the hatchet between McConnell and Trump.
Another senator confirmed to The Hill that Trump conceded to Graham that McConnell had indeed helped him at key moments, even though Trump now bashes McConnell regularly in public statements.
The Senate currently sits at an even 50-50 split. Republicans are defending 20 seats, including two in states Joe Biden won in 2020, while Democrats are defending 14 and none in states carried by
