Welcome back. And joining me now is Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Senator Graham, welcome back to Meet the Press.Thank you. Well, thank you for being here. I'm so sorry we have to meet under these circumstances again, Senator.You were on this program the day after the first assassination attempt against President Trump. My question for you this morning, Senator, what is your message to people this morning about this moment that we're in in this country. Well, number one, my message to ...

Joining us now, senior reporter at the Bull Work, Will Summer, and senior writer at The Dispatch, David Ducker. Thank you both for taking the time. You have both been covering the MAGA movement for some time.Will Charlie Kirk was just 31 years old, so young. Tell us more about who he was and how he became such an influential person in Republican circles. Yeah, I mean, it's such a tragic situation. I mean, and it's also a remarkable career.He was really a monumental figure on the right going in the course of ...

Political Violence & Security Concerns - A list of recent incidents of political violence is compiled, including kidnapping plots, assaults, and assassinations [1] - The incidents raise concerns about the safety of political figures and the potential for further violence [1] - The murder of two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington DC, the arson at Governor Josh Shapiro's house in Pennsylvania as he and his family slept inside, and the firebombing attack on marchers in Colorado who had gathered to support Israeli hostages are mentioned [1] Charlie Kirk & Turning Point USA - Charlie Kirk had a great impact on the conservative movement and President Trump [3] - Kirk built an organization that rivaled the Republican National Committee (RNC), raising hundreds of millions of dollars [4] - Turning Point USA aimed to make the Republican party cool and welcoming, influencing the MAGA Republican party [7][8] - Kirk's influence extended to social media, reaching college campuses and rural communities [6] Political Climate & Reactions - There are concerns about irresponsible media figures and members of Congress suggesting reprisals [10] - Speaker Johnson and minority leader Jeff expressed the need to avoid further escalation of violence [11] - The mood in Washington is grief and fear following the death of Charlie Kirk [11][13] - The ability to debate political ideas is seen as imperative for political discourse [14]

The killing of Charlie Kirk silenced a leading voice in the MAGA movement and a provocateur whose surge in popularity intertwined with Donald Trump’s political fortunes https://t.co/6eTIVe1YkB ...

Political Influence - Charlie Kirk is identified as a powerbroker within the MAGA movement [1] - He is considered a trusted figure among young voters [1] - His influence may have contributed to Donald Trump potentially regaining the presidency [1]

Charlie Kirk was the founder of a conservative youth organization known as Turning Point USA. And Kirk was somebody who had made the rounds on college campuses trying to drum up support for the brand of politics that President Trump and his MAGA movement have espoused over the past decade or so. And he has done so through an active social media presence, and he has done so also through this engagement with with young people, but especially on college campuses such as the one he was visiting today in Utah wh ...

The current establishment of the Republican Party backs Israel. Yet there is a different and increasingly voluble view of America’s alliance with the Jewish state emerging within the MAGA movement https://t.co/ZgGgMVJosm ...

President Donald Trump said Vice President JD Vance was “most likely” the heir to his MAGA movement, but added there were other potential candidates https://t.co/CLaDmBIrsV ...

Political Analysis - The report suggests that Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case fallout might create a divide between him and his MAGA base [2] - The analysis questions whether the "laws of political gravity" will finally apply to Trump, considering past scandals like January 6th and challenging election results were insufficient to diminish his support [2][3] - The report highlights a dissonance: Trump's overall approval rating is down to 37%, but he maintains 90-91% approval among Republicans [11][12][20] - The analysis points out that the Republican electorate is larger than the MAGA base, but the MAGA base provides Trump with a high floor of support [13][14] - The report forecasts challenges for the Republican party in 2028, as they will need to find a way to hold together the coalition that Trump built [16][17] Media & Public Perception - The report notes that the Epstein case has hallmarks of a typical Washington scandal, involving cover-ups and finger-pointing [4][5] - The media's coverage of the Epstein files is being questioned, with some suggesting there is "no there there" [9] - Republicans and Democrats may find common ground in their disapproval of how the White House is handling the Epstein case, although for different reasons [21][22] - The report suggests that Democrats may be using the Epstein case to extract political gain from Trump [23] Trump's Strategy - The analysis suggests Trump follows his base's cues, which is part of the reason he is involved in the Epstein issue [15] - The report indicates Trump is paying the price for chasing lies and conspiracy theories to appeal to his base [6]

Baker, I will start with you. Oh boy. Uh this is uh the story that Washington had been waiting for for a few days.A lot of rumors that it was coming. It arrived last night like a thunderclap. Um it certainly suggests that you reinforces the close relationship that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein had.Body doesn't begin to cover it. It's a pretty graphic drawing and mysterious message uh that Trump allegedly pens to Epstein. Um, so let's talk about where this goes now.Uh, you know, we know, we've talked abou ...