Trump Reacts to Darline Graham’s Foreign Policy Flub: She’s Going to do ‘What the President Wants’

President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Friday before boarding Air Force One and was asked about Sen. Darline Graham’s (R-SC) recent debate flub where she brushed off a question about Taiwan by saying she wasn’t informed on foreign policy.

“Darline Graham faced some criticism for her response at a debate earlier this week, where she said national security is not her thing–” a report began asking Trump as he replied, “Well, no, all she was doing is being honest.”

“She’s very smart, and she was being honest. I mean, she’s into the price of groceries, the price of food, the price of beef. And it hasn’t been her thing, but she’s surrounded by very good people. And she said that she’s totally for the military — I mean, she’s going to do what the military wants, and really what the president wants,” Trump said, making clear he believes she will follow his lead on foreign policy.
“She understands that national security is my thing. And she is a terrific woman who answered that. I watched it. I thought it was a very honest answer, actually,” Trump added.

Trump endorsed Graham in her bid to be elected to her late brother Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) seat. Lindsey Graham was a prominent hawk in the GOP and was known for his independence on foreign policy, breaking with Trump on issues like support for Ukraine.

Darline Graham was appointed to the seat at Trump’s urging and is now in a runoff GOP primary against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC).

During Tuesday night’s debate between Graham and Norman, a moderator asked the incumbent, “Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States? And if so, why or how?”

“I’m just gonna be honest here. I’m not, on national security– I’m not that informed on national security, so– but I do support the military. My brother was in the Air Force for 33 years, so I will do everything I can to support the military. My dad was in the Army. I’m not a polished politician up here. National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I support the military,” Graham replied.

Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.

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