A new documentary from The Young Turks and Swamp Watch Studios alleges that the late Sen. Lindsey Graham paid several male escorts for sex, including one who claims he was 17 at the time.
The film, titled “The CLOSETocracy,” features what a Young Turks press release described as “firsthand accounts from three men who allege paid sexual encounters” with the South Carolina Republican. According to the release, the documentary also examines the contrast between Graham’s alleged private conduct and his longtime political opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
“These are serious claims that deserve public scrutiny,” Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur said in a statement, adding that the network is making the documentary available so viewers can hear the accounts firsthand.
In a clip shared by The Young Turks on Thursday, one man identifies himself as Kelvin and claims he had sex with Graham when he was 17.
Kelvin said he turned to escort work in part because his family was so poor he could not afford clothes. He claimed Graham contacted him through an escort website, saying Kelvin had come “recommended.”
According to Kelvin, Graham invited him in July 2001 to John McCain’s ranch in Sedona, Arizona, where Graham was staying as a guest. Kelvin claimed he was given “specific instructions” to enter through a particular entrance.
Kelvin described the space he entered as “very scary,” saying it appeared to be under construction but looked deliberately staged, with open beams and black sheeting, almost like a film set.
Kelvin alleged that after the encounter began, Graham appeared startled and accused him of being under 18, which Kelvin said he repeatedly denied. He claimed Graham then insisted he state his name and age, and that he believed Graham said it was “for the camera,” before denying he was recording.
Kelvin said he later noticed a blinking red light, which led him to believe he was being recorded. He claimed Graham told him to stop looking toward the light and became more aggressive.
A second man, who identified himself as Cory, claimed he was picked up by a black SUV and driven to the Washington Plaza Hotel to spend the night with a client who had a “big, grandiose Southern accent.” Cory said that a month or two later, he saw the man on television with the name “Lindsey Graham” displayed on screen.
A third man, identified as Jesse, also claims in the 33-minute documentary that he had sex with Graham. Jesse described a poor upbringing and said he recognized Graham from his election ads on TV. He said a friend suggested he work as an escort, and that after moving to Washington, D.C., he met Graham at the Beacon Hotel. Jesse claimed Graham did not give his real name.
Graham, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, died on July 11. His cause of death was listed as aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
His sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to fill his seat. President Donald Trump campaigned for her Wednesday night ahead of her midterm race against Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.
When filmmakers approached Darline Graham about the allegations, she responded, “I’m not even gonna entertain that question.”
A spokeswoman for the Grahams did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mediaite.
The documentary closes with Jesse tying the allegations to policy, claiming that high gas prices stem from policies supported by people like Graham while, he alleged, they were paying people like him for sex.
