Unreleased documentary footage reveals that late US Senator Lindsey Graham spent years privately lobbying President Donald Trump and foreign leaders to overthrow Iran’s regime, frequently advocating military interventions that outpaced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s willingness to act, according to a Wall Street Journal report published in Sunday.
Documentary Captures Private Campaign Against Iran
Filmmaker Alex Holder recorded hundreds of hours of conversations with the South Carolina Republican starting in 2023 for an upcoming documentary titled Lindsey’s Game. The footage documents Graham acting as a primary driver of US intervention against Iran, including a March 4 exchange where Graham planned a trip to Florida to urge Trump to join Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah. Netanyahu advised Graham against expanding the military campaign too quickly, warning that a full-scale offensive would remove Hezbollah’s incentive for restraint. Graham accepted the counsel, stating in the footage, “That’s actually good counsel,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
Did you know? Filmmaker Alex Holder was granted extensive access to Graham’s meetings, travel, and telephone calls beginning in 2023 to document his Senate career and encourage others to enter public service. Several individuals who spoke with Graham by telephone told The Wall Street Journal they were unaware their conversations were being recorded.
Foreign Diplomacy and Middle East Strategy
Graham traveled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) to build support for the anti-Iran campaign, arguing to Netanyahu that the collapse of the Iranian regime could foster Israel-Saudi diplomatic normalization. Graham expressed confidence he could win bipartisan backing for the deal, though Netanyahu urged him to focus primarily on Iran, per The Wall Street Journal. In separate discussions with Jake Sullivan, who served as national security adviser under then-president Joe Biden, Graham criticized Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as having conflicts of interest, arguing instead that Secretary of State Marco Rubio should lead negotiations. A White House official defended Kushner and Witkoff to The Wall Street Journal as successful negotiators who maintained close personal ties with Graham.
Final Weeks and Frustrations With the Trump Administration
Graham died in July at age 71. Before his death, the footage shows him expressing frustration that Trump administration officials and fellow Republicans were failing to publicly defend the military actions against Iran. In his final filmed interview at a Columbia, South Carolina, bagel shop, Graham criticized Trump for signing a preliminary agreement with Iran in June, stating, “He’s letting this thing slip away,” and noting a need to speak directly with the president, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the unreleased documentary footage show about Lindsey Graham?
According to The Wall Street Journal, the footage shows Graham privately urging Donald Trump and foreign leaders to overthrow Iran’s regime, often pushing for military action that exceeded what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was prepared to support.
Who filmed the footage of Senator Graham?
Filmmaker Alex Holder recorded the footage over several years starting in 2023 for an upcoming documentary titled Lindsey’s Game.
What were Graham’s final political frustrations captured on film?
During his final recorded interview at a South Carolina bagel shop, Graham criticized President Trump for signing a preliminary agreement with Iran in June, stating that the administration was letting the strategic situation slip away.
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