Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died Saturday at age 71 after a brief and sudden illness, ending a remarkable political journey that saw him transform from one of Donald Trump's harshest critics into one of his most loyal allies. President Trump, in an interview Sunday on NBC'sMeet the Press, revealed that he may have been among the last people to speak with Graham, recounting a phone call shortly before the senator's death.
«It could have been his last call. I don't know exactly, but I got a message about one o'clock in the morning from one of the people at his office that he had passed away. I said, you got, I just can't believe it,» Trump told host Kristen Welker. The president described Graham as «like a member of the family to me» and called the loss «very tough.»
The relationship between Trump and Graham was anything but smooth from the start. During the 2016 Republican primaries, Graham was among the most vocal opponents of Trump's candidacy. «If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed.......and we will deserve it,» Graham wrote on social media at the time. He once likened Trump's candidacy to «being shot in the head» and called Trump a «disgrace» and «one of the dumbest human beings I've ever seen.» Trump, in turn, told a South Carolina crowd that Graham «couldn't run for dogcatcher in this state and win again.»
After Trump won the presidency, their relationship slowly thawed. Graham became a frequent golf partner and eventually one of Trump's most steadfast defenders in the Senate. However, the relationship faced a major rupture after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots, when Graham declared on the Senate floor, «All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.»
By the time Trump returned to the White House for a second term, Graham had fully re-emerged as a key ally. As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, he led the push for Trump's «one big beautiful bill» and championed the SAVE America Act, a Republican election integrity bill requiring voter identification and proof of citizenship for federal elections.
Trump revealed that their final phone call, which took place Saturday evening after Graham returned from a trip to Ukraine, was focused entirely on the SAVE America Act. «He called, and he said, 'We're all set for the SAVE America Act.' He was pushing the SAVE America Act like crazy. He got back, said he just landed from Ukraine. I said, 'That's a long trip to make.' He said he sounded a little tired, but perfect, but a little bit tired,» Trump recalled. The president added, «This is a big blow to the SAVE America Act, let me tell you.»
Graham's death has already set off a scramble among South Carolina Republicans to fill his Senate seat. Trump hinted that he already has a favorite for the appointment, though he did not name the individual. The governor of South Carolina will make the interim appointment, with a special election to follow.
Graham, who rose from small-town roots in South Carolina to become a GOP power broker, served in the Senate for more than two decades. He was known for his willingness to work across the aisle on issues such as immigration and foreign policy, even as he became a fierce partisan warrior on others. His transformation from Trump critic to Trump confidant mirrored the broader evolution of the Republican Party during the Trump era.
In his final public remarks, Graham often spoke of his close working relationship with Trump. During a speech last month, he said, «I want to thank the big guy, God. Trump comes later. Mr. President, you're not far behind God, but we're going to start with him.» The comment drew laughter and applause, but it also underscored the depth of the bond that had formed between the two men over nearly a decade.
Trump, reflecting on their journey together, said, «I said, 'We'll see you soon.' Come over anytime you want. He came into the White House, because I liked him. Can't do that with everybody.» The president noted that Graham's death leaves a void not only in his personal life but also in the Senate, where Graham's legislative skills and institutional knowledge will be difficult to replace.
Graham's office confirmed that he died at his home in South Carolina after a brief illness. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. Flags at the Capitol were ordered to be flown at half-staff in his honor.
