A new documentary released by The Young Turks and Swamp Watch Studios is making explosive allegations about the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, featuring interviews with three men who claim they were paid for sexual encounters with the longtime Republican politician. One man alleges he was just 17 at the time.
The 33-minute film, The CLOSETocracy, presents what its creators describe as firsthand accounts of alleged encounters with Graham. The documentary also examines the contrast between the men’s claims and Graham’s longstanding political opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
The allegations have not been independently established, and the accounts presented in the film should not be treated as proven facts.
One of the men, identified as Kelvin, introduces himself in the documentary by alleging that he had sex with Graham when he was 17.
“My name is Kelvin, and I had sex with Lindsey Graham when I was 17,” he says in a clip shared Thursday by Swamp Watch Studios.
Another man, identified as Cory, describes what he says was an overnight escort appointment at Washington’s Plaza Hotel. He recalls being picked up in a black SUV and driven to meet a client whose voice he described as having a “big, grandiose Southern accent.”
Cory alleges that the encounter became physical almost immediately. He says he later recognized the man on television when Graham’s name appeared on the screen.
“I am Jesse, and I had sex with Lindsey Graham,” a third man says in the film.
Jesse describes growing up with limited means and becoming familiar with Graham through the senator’s campaign advertisements. He says a friend suggested escort work as a way to make money and alleges that he later met Graham at Washington’s Beacon Hotel.
Jesse also claims Graham did not use his real name when they met.
The documentary’s producers say the film is intended to let viewers hear the men’s accounts directly.
“These are serious claims that deserve public scrutiny,” Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur said in a statement announcing the release. He said the organization was making the documentary available so audiences could examine the reporting and hear the accounts for themselves.
The film also puts the allegations into a political context, examining Graham’s public record on LGBTQ+ issues. However, the men’s claims remain allegations, and the documentary’s release does not independently establish that the alleged encounters occurred as described.
The controversy arrives amid a high-stakes South Carolina political race. Graham, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, died on July 11. His death was attributed to an aortic dissection associated with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
His sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to succeed him. President Donald Trump campaigned for her Wednesday night ahead of her midterm contest against Democratic rival Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.
In the documentary, filmmakers approach Darline Graham and ask about the allegations concerning her brother.
She refused to respond.
The allegations are particularly serious because one of the men says he was a minor at the time of the alleged encounter.
Watch the full documentary below.
