A documentary released Thursday features three men claiming they had paid sexual encounters with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, allegations that multiple news outlets are reporting while cautioning that none of the claims have been independently verified. Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate from 2003 until his death in July 2026, at age 71 following an aortic dissection.
The documentary, titled “The CLOSETocracy,” was released by left-wing media group The Young Turks and interviews three men who say they had sex with Graham, according to The National Desk. One of the men, identified only as Kelvin, says plainly in the film, “My name is Kelvin and I had sex with Lindsey Graham,” per the outlet's report. A Fox San Antonio page also carried The National Desk's report.
Three Accusers, Three Different Timelines
Kelvin alleges he met Graham at a property in Arizona in 2001, when he was 17, and claims Graham paid him $120, according to Newsweek. A second man, Jesse, alleges he had a sexual encounter with Graham at a Washington, D.C., hotel in 2012 and received $260, the same report states. A third accuser, Cory, describes a booking and payment involving an encounter with Graham, as reported by the Advocate.
Newsweek's report states plainly that the allegations have not been independently corroborated. The accounts are reportedly accompanied by receipts and travel tickets that correspond with Graham's public schedule, though nothing conclusively puts the men and Graham together, according to Raw Story's reporting. Coverage of the documentary has consistently characterized its central claims as allegations rather than established fact, with the Sunday Guardian Live noting that the claims remain unverified.
Sister Appointed to Graham's Seat Declines to Discuss Allegations
After Graham's death, his sister Darline Graham was appointed to his Senate seat, the National Desk reports. When a reporter asked her about rumors concerning her late brother and gay escorts, she responded, “I'm not even gonna entertain that question,” according to the outlet's account. The National Desk's report does not indicate that Darline Graham's camp has otherwise responded to the documentary.
Film Ties Allegations to Graham's Voting Record on Gay Rights
Beyond the individual accounts, the documentary goes over Graham's record as a U.S. senator regarding gay rights, per the National Desk. The film's framing examines the contrast between his alleged private conduct and his longstanding political opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, according to Mediaite. The outlet also notes that Graham publicly denied being gay during his lifetime, telling reporters at one point, “I ain't gay. Sorry,” according to FITSNews.
Public commentary around the documentary's release has included questions about its political relevance. Mediaite reported commentary skeptical of the film's impact, with one line of criticism asking whether “Lindsey Graham being gay was somehow going to have an impact on the 2026 elections.” Mediaite described influencers across the political spectrum as unimpressed with the release and characterized the film as overhyped.
No law-enforcement investigation, civil lawsuit, or criminal case tied to the allegations has been reported in connection with this story. The claims remain allegations made by the three men in the documentary, presented by The Young Turks alongside Graham's legislative record, and have not been independently verified by any of the outlets that have reported on the film's release.
