Social media reacts to Lindsey Graham's 'I'm a single white male' and 'I will not shut up' comments

Elise Solé


The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination to a full Senate vote, as he stands accused of sexual assault by Christine Blasey Ford. But before the vote occurred, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham was fuming. “I know I’m a single white male from South Carolina and I’ve been told to shut up, but I will not shut up,” he said on Friday.

Graham made his remarks as the committee reconvened for the second day, after emotional testimony from Ford alleging that Kavanaugh, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, sexually assaulted her at a house party in 1982. Kavanaugh also testified, alternating between rage and tearful denials, while interrupting Democratic senators, reported NBC News.

Graham’s comments were an affront to many who felt that the use of the phrase “single white male” was emblematic of rape culture, the sexist undertones of the testimony (some social media users called Ford a “Valley girl” who spoke with “vocal fry”), and Ford’s testimony itself. The all-white-male Republican panel will have a heavy hand in deciding whether Kavanaugh will help shape some of the most powerful laws in the country, including the future of Roe v. Wade.

Graham had several outbursts on Thursday during the hearing, according to the South Carolina news outlet the Post and Courier. While speaking to Kavanaugh, Graham said, “You’re looking for a fair process? You came to the wrong town at the wrong time, my friend.” He also asked the judge, “Would you say you’ve been through hell?” to which Kavanaugh replied, “I’ve been through hell and then some.”

Graham raged against the Democrats, saying, “If you wanted an FBI investigation, you could have come to us. What you want to do is destroy this guy’s life, hold this seat open, and hope you win in 2020.” He also assured Kavanaugh, “You’ve got nothing to apologize for.”

“This is the most unethical sham since I’ve been in politics,” said Graham, as reported by NBC News. “This is not a job interview. This is hell. This is going to destroy the ability of good people to come forward, because of this crap.”

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