Sen. Lindsey Graham Spotted at Disney World Amid Government Shutdown

The Republican senator was seen dining at a restaurant with Disney characters during the partial federal closure.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:51am

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South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham was photographed dining at Chef Mickey's restaurant at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Florida, during the ongoing partial government shutdown. Graham, a longtime Republican hawk, claimed he was in the area for a meeting but also went to 'meet friends' after the event.

Why it matters

Graham's presence at Disney World during the government shutdown has sparked criticism, as thousands of travelers have been impacted by the closure of federal agencies and long TSA lines. The senator's decision to vacation at a theme park while Congress remains deadlocked over budget negotiations raises questions about his priorities.

The details

According to reports, Graham was seated at a table in the back of the Chef Mickey's restaurant, where he helped himself to the buffet. A witness said the senator was seen talking to a younger woman and child at a nearby table. Graham later told TMZ that he had been invited to a meeting in South Florida on Friday and went to Orlando to 'meet friends' afterward.

  • On March 29, 2026, Graham was spotted at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The players

Lindsey Graham

A Republican senator from South Carolina who has been a longtime advocate for military intervention and a vocal supporter of President Trump.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California, whose office mocked Graham's Disney World visit with a tweet calling divas 'still need vacation.'

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What they’re saying

“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

“Divas still need vacation.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

The takeaway

Graham's decision to vacation at Disney World during the government shutdown has sparked criticism, raising questions about his priorities and the optics of a senior senator enjoying theme park rides while thousands of federal workers remain furloughed.