Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after a ‘brief and sudden illness,’ his office says
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-07-12 08:37:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Reacts to Lindsey Graham’s Death, Recalls Final Conversation
Donald Trump, speaking after the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, described Graham as “like a member of the family” and called the news “very tough.” Trump stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he had spoken with Graham on Saturday night after the senator returned from a trip to Ukraine, saying Graham “sounded a little bit tired, but perfect.”
Graham, a longtime ally of Trump in Congress, was known for his influential role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and for advising Trump on issues such as Iran and Russia. Their relationship, initially contentious during the 2016 presidential race—when Trump publicly read out Graham’s personal cellphone number and repeatedly belittled him—later evolved into a close political alliance after Trump won the White House.
While the excerpt does not document any new false claims or disparagements by Trump regarding Graham’s death, it highlights Trump’s public response and the history of their relationship, including Trump’s earlier attacks on Graham during the 2016 campaign. The article also notes Graham’s pivotal role in defending Trump during his impeachments and his ongoing support for Trump’s foreign policy initiatives.
Trump’s comments following Graham’s passing reflect the senator’s unique position as both a critic and a confidant, underscoring the complex dynamics that defined their political partnership.