A California registered nurse, Robert Acuna-Bagshaw, who has been employed at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Memorial Children's Hospital since January 2016, is facing backlash after posting an Instagram story that appeared to wish death on former President Donald Trump and late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

The Instagram story showed a collage of three public figures: Senator Mitch McConnell with a skull power-plug emoji and the text "Pull the plug," Trump with a countdown beneath his photo, and Graham with a gray tombstone graphic reading "R.I.P." over his image. Acuna-Bagshaw captioned the post, "If all 3 of these f---ers die this week, I might become religious again."

Senator Lindsey Graham passed away at age 71 after a sudden illness. Preliminary findings from the D.C. medical examiner indicated an aortic tear due to cardiovascular disease. The death certificate remains pending further toxicological and microscopic testing. A U.S. flag flew at half-staff over the Capitol on July 12, 2026, in honor of Graham.

Following the post, Acuna-Bagshaw reported receiving threats and harassment from supporters of the former president, stating on Instagram that "MAGA morons" were messaging him across social media, threatening his life, contacting his workplace to seek his termination, and looking up his address with insinuations of attacks.

The incident has prompted questions about whether Acuna-Bagshaw's employer is reviewing the matter.

Sources