Trump Mourns Graham as ‘Great Politician’ and ‘Member of the Family’
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-12 11:37:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Praises Lindsey Graham, Reflects on Final Conversation and Political Legacy
President Trump publicly mourned the death of Senator Lindsey Graham on Sunday, describing him as a “great politician” and “like a member of the family.” Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump reflected on Graham’s ability to work with both Democrats and Republicans, stating, “He had a unique ability — he was able to deal with Democrats and Republicans. If I had a problem with a Democrat, he could work it out. He was a great politician, actually.”
Trump recounted that he spoke with Graham just hours before the senator’s death, discussing the SAVE America Act, a voter identification bill Trump has been urging Congress to pass. According to Trump, Graham “sounded perfect” during their call, though the senator mentioned he was “tired” after returning from a trip to Ukraine.
The president expressed uncertainty about the cause of Graham’s death, which the senator’s office attributed to “a brief and sudden illness.” When asked about reports of cardiac arrest, Trump responded that it “made sense,” adding, “It had to be something like that because he was, other than being tired, he was fine. And so it had to be something like that, that would just be a quick end. And maybe that’s not the worst way to go.”
Trump declined to name a preferred replacement for Graham but indicated he was considering “somebody that I think would be great.” South Carolina law allows Governor Henry McMaster to appoint a temporary replacement, with a special election expected on August 11.
Reflecting on Graham’s career, Trump praised the senator’s defense of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s 2018 Supreme Court nomination as “literally, one of the great classics of anyone in the Senate.” He also acknowledged Graham’s reputation as a military hawk and his recent efforts to impose sanctions on buyers of Russian oil.
Trump’s remarks were delivered with a somber tone, emphasizing the personal loss and political impact of Graham’s passing. “I never thought I’d be in this position,” Trump said, adding that he believed “Lindsey was going to be living forever.”
Conclusion
Trump’s statements highlight both his close personal relationship with Graham and the senator’s influence in Washington. The president’s recollections offer insight into Graham’s final hours and underscore his role in recent legislative efforts, particularly on voter identification and foreign policy. As South Carolina prepares to fill Graham’s Senate seat, Trump’s comments set the stage for the political transition ahead.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/politics/donald-trump-lindsey-graham-death-interview.html