Comedian Margaret Cho is facing widespread backlash after a video posted on social media showed her mocking the death of Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and appearing to suggest that President Donald Trump could be next. In the video, which circulated widely on Sunday, Cho made remarks that many have condemned as disrespectful and inflammatory.
«Bye Lindsey… Bye Lindsey Graham. From the closet to the coffin, real seamless. Real seamless,» Cho said in the video, which was posted on Facebook. She continued her rant by referencing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized for nearly a month after a fall. «Um, also yeah, Mitch McConnell. So, it’s Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham… it does happen in threes. Hope,» Cho added, suggesting that Trump might be the next to die.
The video included hashtags such as «#resist» and «#fdt,» an acronym widely understood as a derogatory reference to the president. The post quickly drew criticism from conservative commentators and others who accused Cho of crossing a line by celebrating the death of a sitting senator and implying violence against a former president.
Graham, 71, died at 10:23 p.m. on Saturday. An autopsy conducted on Sunday indicated that the cause of death was aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A statement from Graham’s office noted that the death certificate would remain pending until toxicological and microscopic testing are completed, at which point it would be updated to reflect the cause and manner of death.
Graham’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum, with many colleagues remembering him as a dedicated public servant who rose from small-town roots to become a key figure in the Republican Party. President Trump, who had a complex relationship with Graham over the years, recommended that South Carolina’s governor appoint Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve out the remainder of his Senate term. Nordone and her brother shared a close bond, according to reports.
McConnell, who has been recovering from a fall that led to a prolonged hospitalization, issued a statement on Sunday addressing his health. «My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion,» McConnell said. «I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages.» His statement came amid speculation about his condition following Graham’s death.
Cho’s comments have reignited debates about the tone of political discourse in the United States, particularly on social media. Critics argue that mocking the death of a public figure, regardless of political differences, is unacceptable and contributes to a toxic environment. Supporters of Cho, however, have defended her as a comedian exercising free speech, though the backlash has been significant.
Fox News Digital reached out to Cho and the White House for comment, but no responses were reported as of Sunday evening. The video continues to circulate online, drawing both condemnation and support from various quarters.
Graham’s legacy includes his evolution from a critic of Trump to one of his most prominent allies in the Senate, a shift that made him a powerful player in Republican politics. He was also a vocal supporter of Ukraine, and his death has raised concerns about the loss of a key ally in Congress for that country. As the political world mourns his passing, the controversy over Cho’s video underscores the deep divisions that persist in American public life.
