Laura Loomer Claims Lindsey Graham Is Gay: Deposition Revealed
Lindsey Graham, 2017. Photo courtesy of Mueller/MSC under CC BY 3.0 DE.
Senator Lindsey Graham's lifelong bachelorhood has long been a subject of public curiosity and speculation. At 70, the South Carolina Republican remains unmarried, a fact he has addressed with a mix of personal explanation and humor. Yet this summer, right-wing activist Laura Loomer reignited the rumors in a way that thrust the senator's private life back into the spotlight. During a deposition tied to her defamation lawsuit against HBO, Loomer claimed under oath that "several of President Trump's staff" had confided in her that Graham is allegedly gay, as reported by The Daily Beast. The transcript of this deposition briefly appeared in the public record before being sealed, sparking fresh debate and scrutiny.
A Bachelor's Story: Graham's Own Words
Lindsey Graham has never shied away from discussing his unmarried status, often framing it within the context of personal sacrifice and timing. According to The Daily Beast, Graham recounts a serious relationship that ended because his girlfriend wanted to remain in Vienna, Austria, while he felt compelled to return to South Carolina to care for his family. This decision, he explained, was driven by a sense of duty rather than a lack of romantic interest.
Graham has also joked publicly about his bachelorhood, once quipping about the need for a "rotating First Lady" to fill the traditional role that a spouse might play, as reported by ABC News. This self-deprecating humor has been a hallmark of his public persona, allowing him to acknowledge his unconventional personal life without inviting undue speculation.
Despite his unmarried status, Graham has been a vocal defender of conservative marriage laws. He has consistently supported traditional definitions of marriage and opposed legislation expanding rights for LGBTQ+ individuals. This stance has made the rumors about his sexuality particularly pointed, as they contrast sharply with his public political positions.
Loomer's Deposition: A Bold Claim Under Oath
Laura Loomer, a prominent right-wing activist known for her fierce loyalty to former President Donald Trump, brought the rumors about Graham's sexuality back into public conversation during a deposition in June. The deposition was part of Loomer's defamation lawsuit against HBO, stemming from a comment made by late-night host Bill Maher suggesting she had an affair with Trump.
During questioning by HBO's attorney, Loomer stated that multiple members of Trump's staff had told her in confidence that Graham is gay. When pressed, she insisted that this was "well-known" within the president's circle, saying "several of President Trump's staff have told me in confidence that — that Lindsey Graham is gay," as reported by The Daily Beast. The attorney responded by saying, "There's no question," to which Loomer replied, "I know. I'm just explaining."
Loomer later took to social media to defend her statements, emphasizing that she was under oath and could not lie. However, the deposition transcript does not confirm that she personally affirmed Graham's sexuality.
The Public and Political Reaction
Graham has consistently denied the rumors about his sexuality. He has never married and has no children, but he has publicly dismissed the speculation. In a 2010 interview with The New York Times, he joked that he was not available and acknowledged that his denial might upset some gay men, as reported by LGBTQ Nation. He has maintained this stance over the years, including after comedian Chelsea Handler called him gay in 2018, which he also denied.
The senator's personal life has often been fodder for both critics and allies. His unmarried status and the rumors surrounding it have been used to question his authenticity, especially given his conservative positions on marriage and LGBTQ+ rights. Loomer's public outing of Graham added fuel to this fire, with some viewing it as a pointed attack from within the MAGA movement.
At the same time, Graham's own quips about a "rotating First Lady" have been seized upon by commentators and political opponents alike as evidence of his unconventional personal life. This blend of humor and speculation creates a complex portrait of a politician whose private choices contrast with his public advocacy.
The Tension Between Public Stance and Private Life
Graham's career has been marked by a strong defense of traditional marriage and opposition to LGBTQ+ rights legislation. He voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 and supported a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in 2006. Only recently did he vote against the Respect for Marriage Act, which protects same-sex marriages federally.
This political record stands in stark contrast to the rumors about his sexuality, creating a tension that has not gone unnoticed. Loomer's deposition testimony brought this contradiction into sharp relief, highlighting how Graham's personal life has become a point of contention within conservative circles.
What This Means Going Forward
The renewed attention on Lindsey Graham's bachelorhood and the rumors about his sexuality come at a time of heightened political tension. As Trump's influence within the Republican Party remains strong, figures like Loomer are using every tool at their disposal to shape the narrative and enforce loyalty.
For Graham, the challenge lies in balancing his public political positions with the persistent speculation about his private life. His own words about family obligations and missed chances at marriage provide a personal context that complicates the simplistic narratives often presented in political discourse.
Whether this episode will have lasting effects on Graham's career or the broader political conversation remains to be seen. What is clear is that in the world of politics, personal stories and public personas are often inseparable, and the line between private life and political strategy is increasingly blurred.
References: Laura Loomer Breaks Silence on Bizarre Lindsey Graham Deposition | It's well-known that Lindsey Graham is gay, Trump ally testifies in deposition | Right-Wing Influencer Laura Loomer Testified Under Oath That Lindsey Graham Is Gay | Lindsey Graham's White House Would Have A 'Rotating First Lady'
