Senator Lindsey Graham Spotted at Disney World Amid Government Shutdown

Graham says he was in Florida on official business, blames Democrats for shutdown chaos.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:04pm

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was spotted dining at Chef Mickey's in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida amid the ongoing partial government shutdown that has caused long lines and chaos at airports across the country. Graham confirmed the trip, saying he was in Florida on official business to discuss potential normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and then went to Orlando to meet friends after the meeting.

Why it matters

The optics of a senator enjoying a Disney World vacation while federal workers are going unpaid and travelers face major disruptions due to the shutdown has sparked significant backlash. Graham's trip has raised questions about whether lawmakers are feeling the effects of the shutdown themselves.

The details

According to reports, Graham was spotted at the Disney World resort on Sunday, March 27. He told TMZ that he was in Florida on Friday for an official meeting with a Trump administration official, and then went to Orlando to meet friends after. Graham blamed Democrats for the ongoing shutdown, saying he had voted seven times to fully fund the government.

  • On March 27, 2026, Graham was spotted at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
  • On March 29, 2026, Graham confirmed the Disney World trip to TMZ.

The players

Lindsey Graham

A Republican senator from South Carolina who has been a vocal supporter of President Trump.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California, who criticized Graham's Disney World trip on social media.

Cassandra MacDonald

A conservative journalist who questioned why an "old man with no kids" would be going to Disney World.

Steve Witkoff

A Trump administration official that Graham met with in Florida to discuss potential normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

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What they’re saying

“Divas still need vacation.”

— Gavin Newsom, California Governor

“Why is an old man with no kids going to Disney?”

— Cassandra MacDonald, Conservative Journalist

“I was invited to a meeting in South Florida on Friday with Trump official Steve Witkoff... to talk about the possibility of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. I went to Orlando to meet friends after. I'm already back in South Carolina.”

— Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator

“I voted 7 times to fully fund the government. Call a Democrat.”

— Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Graham's Disney World trip will have any political consequences, as lawmakers face growing public scrutiny over their actions during the ongoing government shutdown.

The takeaway

Graham's Disney World vacation amid the government shutdown has sparked outrage, with critics accusing the senator of being out-of-touch with the struggles faced by federal workers and travelers. The optics of a lawmaker enjoying a theme park getaway while the country grapples with disruptions underscores the growing divide between politicians and the public they serve.