Graham Calls Out Opponents Over Antisemitic Posts

South Carolina senator demands firing of campaign staffers over offensive social media activity.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:51pm

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A dynamic, fragmented painting featuring a political podium or lectern in overlapping geometric shapes and waves of deep red, navy blue, and gold, conveying a sense of political tension and discord.The controversy over alleged antisemitic social media posts by Republican campaign staffers exposes deep divisions within the party.Greenville Today

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham called on his Republican primary opponents to fire two campaign staffers on Thursday, citing what he described as antisemitic and offensive social media posts. Graham displayed screenshots of the writings, photos and cartoons during a media event to support his claims, targeting Vish Burra, the communications director for candidate Paul Dans, and Evan Mulch, political director for candidate Mark Lynch.

Why it matters

Graham argued that the rhetoric represents a 'cancer' within the Republican Party and called for their immediate termination, warning that such views are unacceptable for campaign staff and will 'destroy the Republican Party' if allowed to continue.

The details

Graham identified Burra as the source of several social media posts, including one that used explicit language toward Israel and suggested the U.S. should 'drop them as an ally.' Graham also highlighted an AI-generated cartoon he claimed Burra created depicting Jewish people as cockroaches being set on fire. Regarding Mulch, Graham displayed a post that depicted a shoe stomping on the Talmud, a central text of Judaism, with Mulch allegedly describing the book as 'hate filled' toward Jesus Christ. Other posts attributed to Mulch questioned women's suffrage, stating that women should focus on being 'worthy wives.'

  • On Thursday, Graham called on his Republican primary opponents to fire the two staffers.
  • Last fall, Burra was reportedly fired from a previous job due to the offensive social media post.

The players

Lindsey Graham

A U.S. senator from South Carolina who is running in the Republican primary.

Vish Burra

The communications director for Republican candidate Paul Dans, who was accused of making antisemitic social media posts.

Evan Mulch

The political director for Republican candidate Mark Lynch, who was accused of making offensive social media posts targeting Judaism and women's suffrage.

Paul Dans

A Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate who refused to fire Burra and criticized Graham's record.

Mark Lynch

A Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate who dismissed the accusations as a political tactic by Graham.

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What they’re saying

“Lindsey Graham apparently put his Disney princess bubble wand down long enough to criticize an internet cartoon. He's given a member of my campaign staff more attention than he's given South Carolinians for decades. The real headline that you should be covering is how many opioid deaths happened in South Carolina last year on Lindsey Graham's watch. Israel picks Lindsey Graham's staff, but they do not pick mine. I am not firing Vish Burra and I am calling on the people of South Carolina to fire Lindsey Graham.”

— Paul Dans, Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate

“While Christians around the world are celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Lindsey Graham's campaign is imploding, so it is unsurprising that in his desperation, Lindsey has chosen Holy Week to throw more slop against the wall.”

— Mark Lynch, Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party over issues of antisemitism and extremist rhetoric, with senior party leaders like Graham attempting to distance the GOP from such views, while some candidates defend their staffers and dismiss the accusations as political tactics.