The fried chicken sandwiches of Chick-fil-A have become the unofficial cuisine of the culture wars. The fast food chain's contributions to homophobia at home and abroad prompted Democratic elected officials in some states to push back against new contracts with the company.
Subsequently, conservatives have embraced Chick-fil-A, buying it en masse to own the libs.
Years later, Chick-fil-A remains the most divisive fast food chain in the country. The University of Notre Dame's recent consideration of a Chick-fil-A on campus caused students to mobilize against the chain, emphasizing that a variety of restaurants would better serve the University's students.
An op-ed published the school paper called "Keep Chick-fil-A Away" cited the chain's donations to anti-LGBTQ causes and its participation in animal agriculture before concluding:
"Chick-fil-A is not the answer; there are better alternatives that would both enhance the array of on-campus dining options and support the well-being of an increasingly diverse student body."
Now, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has weighed in.
In a Twitter thread, Graham vowed to "go to war" for the principles of Chick-fil-A.
I have always thought @NotreDame was one of the greatest universities in America, if not the world.https://www.foxnews.com/us/notre-dame-chick-fil-a\u00a0\u2026— Lindsey Graham (@Lindsey Graham) 1626289289
It's disappointing to hear some ND students and faculty want to ban Chick-fil-A from doing business on campus because they disagree with the values held by the Chick-fil-A founders.
What a dangerous precedent to set.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 14, 2021
I want everyone in South Carolina and across America to know I have Chick fil-A's back.
I hope we don't have to, but I will go to war for the principles Chick fil-A stands for.
Great food.
Great service.
Great values.
God bless Chick fil-A!
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 14, 2021
Graham hailed Chick-fil-A's "great values" which have prompted its owner to bankroll opposition to the Equality Act through an organization that promotes the dangerous and debunked conversion therapy practice.
It's unclear why Graham, of South Carolina, is concerned enough with developments at a university in Indiana to assure his constituents that he supports homophobic chicken.
The Senator was widely mocked for vowing to go to war over Chick-fil-A.
ill go to war for a chicken restaurant says a us senatorhttps://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026— Oliver Willis (@Oliver Willis) 1626295078
My Dearest Sarah,\n\nIndications are strong that we shall move in a few days on Five Guys. \n\nSarah, my love for you is deathless, and yet, my love of chicken comes over me like a strong wind, and bears me irresistibly on with all those chains, to the battlefield\u2026https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1626315640
The senator from South Carolina vows to "go to war" because a \n*checks notes*\n\nprivate university\nin\n*checks notes* \n\nIndiana\npublished a letter from students in the\n*checks notes*\n\nstudent-run newspaper.\n\nHuh.https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026— Jude Atwood (@Jude Atwood) 1626331803
Dearest mother, General Graham has called my unit into service forthwith. I expect the travels from Tennessee to South Bend to take some months, so am preparing for a long winter at South Bend. \n\nLest there be any doubt, it is my pleasure to serve in this most gallant fight.https://twitter.com/lindseygrahamsc/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026— tmitch (@tmitch) 1626300574
please let's not go to war over nuggetshttps://twitter.com/lindseygrahamsc/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026— Chad Hayes, MD \ud83c\udf52 (@Chad Hayes, MD \ud83c\udf52) 1626312950
They thought Graham's priorities were wildly misplaced.
Imagine if @LindseyGrahamSC showed half as much interest in defending democracy as he does in defending chicken sandwiches.https://twitter.com/lindseygrahamsc/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026— Moe Davis (@Moe Davis) 1626300098
Voting Rights\u2026 no\nCharleston Loophole\u2026 no \nJan 6th insurrection\u2026 no\nEquality Act\u2026 no\nStudent loan debt relief\u2026 no\nAffordable Healthcare... no\nEqual pay for women\u2026 no\n\nWaffle fries\u2026 He\u2019ll \u201cgo to war\u201d \n#ADamnShame https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/lhm9iXj6NB— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair) 1626306953
There has never been a political party this wholly focused on low-brow B.S. There's a pandemic, a climate crisis and widespread income inequality, but this mope is all-in on a damn self-righteous fast-food chicken chain. Unreal.https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026— Rex Huppke (@Rex Huppke) 1626298149
Lindsey Graham is ready to stand up for a fried chicken corporation but won't stand up for our democracy by investigating a physical attack on our Capitol. \n\nCorporations are who the GOP protect while the Democrats fight to protect America.https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1415387016313950210\u00a0\u2026— Russell Foster for Texas (@Russell Foster for Texas) 1626291412
Chick-fil-A significantly increased its individual donations to the Republican party ahead of the 2020 election.
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