Senator Lindsey Graham Spotted with Bubble Wand at Disney World During Shutdown

Photos show the lawmaker acting as a 'full-blown tourist' amid ongoing federal worker furloughs.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A surreal, fragmented painting depicting a politician carrying a bubble wand, their figure repeated in overlapping, geometric waves of color, conceptually representing the disconnect between political leaders and the real-world impacts of the government shutdown.As the government shutdown drags on, a senator's theme park visit raises questions about political priorities.Today in Orlando

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has faced criticism after photos emerged showing him carrying a bubble wand and visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, while the partial government shutdown continues to leave tens of thousands of federal employees unpaid.

Why it matters

Graham's actions have drawn scrutiny over the optics of a member of Congress enjoying a theme park vacation while federal workers go without pay due to the ongoing political impasse in Washington.

The details

According to reports, Graham was photographed strolling through the 'Tangled' area of Magic Kingdom on Friday night, carrying a bubble wand. An eyewitness told TMZ that Graham was holding the bubble wand for 'a little girl while she was in the bathroom.' Graham had previously confirmed visiting Disney World, stating he was in the area for an official meeting but also went to 'meet friends' in Orlando after.

  • On Sunday, photos emerged of Graham dining at Disney World's Chef Mickey's.
  • On Monday, new photos surfaced showing Graham carrying a bubble wand in the Magic Kingdom on Friday night.

The players

Lindsey Graham

A Republican senator from South Carolina who has faced criticism for his actions during the ongoing government shutdown.

Walt Disney World

The popular theme park resort located in Orlando, Florida.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Someone who answered TMZ's call to shoot photos and videos of members of Congress on vacay – while thousands of federal workers go unpaid – shot this pic showing [Lindsey] strolling in the 'Tangled' area of Magic Kingdom on Friday night, carrying a bubble wand.”

— TMZ

“The area is like a fantasyland, which is on the nose – Congress is living in one, with each side blaming the other for its failure to reach a compromise that would reopen the government, believing voters are buying what they're selling.”

— TMZ

The takeaway

Graham's actions have sparked further criticism of Congress and its inability to resolve the ongoing government shutdown, with the optics of a lawmaker enjoying a theme park vacation while federal workers go unpaid seen as particularly tone-deaf.