Sen. Graham Says Trump Should Check the Soccer Ball Putin Gave Him for Listening Devices

Lauretta Brown | July 16, 2018 2:05 PM

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) criticized remarks that President Trump made Monday at a press conference with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Graham even cautioned that Trump should check Putin’s gift, a World Cup soccer ball, for listening devices.

After Putin handed Trump the ball, the president remarked that the ball would go to his son Barron and playfully tossed it to first lady Melania.

"If it were me, I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House," Graham tweeted.

Finally, if it were me, I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 16, 2018

In a series of tweets, Graham joined a chorus of Republican senators who criticized Trump’s remarks downplaying Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election during a press conference with Putin.

“I hold both countries responsible,” President Trump said of the U.S.’s poor relationship with Russia. “I think that the United States has been foolish, I think we’ve all been foolish. We should have had this dialogue a long time ago. I think we’re all to blame. I think that the United States now has stepped forward.”

Graham called the conference a “missed opportunity.”

“Missed opportunity by President Trump to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling and deliver a strong warning regarding future elections,” he commented. “This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves.”