He was tired but...: Trump says he spoke to Lindsey Graham hours before his death
The US President said Senator Lindsey Graham spent much of their call discussing the SAVE America Act, one of Trump's major legislative priorities, and remained determined to help get the bill through Congress.
US President Donald Trump said he spoke with Senator Lindsey Graham just hours before the longtime Republican lawmaker died, recalling that the senator sounded tired but appeared to be in good health.
Speaking in separate television interviews on Sunday, Trump said Graham sounded tired after returning from Ukraine but otherwise appeared to be in good health. The US President said the senator spent much of their final call discussing the SAVE America Act, one of Trump's major legislative priorities, and remained determined to help get the bill through Congress.
The South Carolina senator was one of Trump's closest political allies in recent years, despite their often turbulent relationship in the past.
TRUMP RECALLS THEIR FINAL CONVERSATION
Trump told NBC News' Meet the Press that he spoke with Graham on Saturday evening, only hours before the senator died.
According to the US President, Graham mentioned that he was feeling tired after returning from a trip to Ukraine, but there was nothing to flag his health was in immediate danger.
Trump said, "other than being tired, he was fine," before reflecting on the senator's passing.
He added that he believed Graham's death was "a quick end, and maybe that's not the worst way to go."
Recalling the conversation, Trump said Graham remained focused on advancing the SAVE America Act.
"He actually said he was tired, but he wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, 'Well, we're going to get it done, Lindsey. We're going to get it done. I'll see you, like, soon,'" Trump told Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker.
The two expected to meet the following day.
The SAVE America Act, legislation that would require proof of US citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, remains stalled in the Senate because it lacks enough support to overcome procedural hurdles.
'LIKE A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY'
Trump described Graham as far more than a political ally.
Calling him "like a member of the family to me," Trump said the two spoke frequently by phone and regularly played golf together.
In an interview with CNN's State of the Union, Trump said Graham also spent part of their last conversation talking about his recent visit to Ukraine. He recalled that the senator "had a great trip" and appeared pleased with the outcome of his meetings.
Graham had travelled to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just one day before his death.
Trump also reflected on Graham's long political career, saying the senator possessed a rare ability to bridge divides in Washington.
"If I had a problem, a real problem, I wouldn't often ask. But if I had a problem with a Democrat, he could work it out," Trump said.
"He was a great, he was a great politician, actually."
FROM TRUMP'S CRITIC TO CLOSE ALLY
Graham's close relationship with Trump developed over several years despite a rocky beginning.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Graham was one of Trump's sharpest critics. While running for president himself, he accused Trump of running "a campaign on xenophobia, race-baiting, religious bigotry -- that cannot be Republican conservatism."
Graham later said he voted for neither Trump nor Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
The senator again broke publicly with Trump after the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
"Trump and I, we've had a hell of a journey," Graham said at the time.
"I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my point of view, he's been a consequential president, but today, first thing you'll see."
He added: "All I can say is a count me out. Enough is enough."
Weeks later, however, Graham voted to acquit Trump during his impeachment trial, saying the case against the Republican leader had been driven by "passion and hatred against President Trump."
Over time, the two rebuilt their relationship and became close political allies.
Reflecting on that evolution, Trump said the friendship grew naturally after the 2016 campaign.
"We sort of got a little bit friendly, and just the friendship grew," he said.
"It just grew, and he was an amazing advocate. He was -- I don't know how you find anybody like him."
Earlier this year, Trump endorsed Graham's re-election campaign, calling him "a wonderful friend to me" who had "always been there when I needed him."
US President Donald Trump said he spoke with Senator Lindsey Graham just hours before the longtime Republican lawmaker died, recalling that the senator sounded tired but appeared to be in good health.
Speaking in separate television interviews on Sunday, Trump said Graham sounded tired after returning from Ukraine but otherwise appeared to be in good health. The US President said the senator spent much of their final call discussing the SAVE America Act, one of Trump's major legislative priorities, and remained determined to help get the bill through Congress.
The South Carolina senator was one of Trump's closest political allies in recent years, despite their often turbulent relationship in the past.
TRUMP RECALLS THEIR FINAL CONVERSATION
Trump told NBC News' Meet the Press that he spoke with Graham on Saturday evening, only hours before the senator died.
According to the US President, Graham mentioned that he was feeling tired after returning from a trip to Ukraine, but there was nothing to flag his health was in immediate danger.
Trump said, "other than being tired, he was fine," before reflecting on the senator's passing.
He added that he believed Graham's death was "a quick end, and maybe that's not the worst way to go."
Recalling the conversation, Trump said Graham remained focused on advancing the SAVE America Act.
"He actually said he was tired, but he wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, 'Well, we're going to get it done, Lindsey. We're going to get it done. I'll see you, like, soon,'" Trump told Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker.
The two expected to meet the following day.
The SAVE America Act, legislation that would require proof of US citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, remains stalled in the Senate because it lacks enough support to overcome procedural hurdles.
'LIKE A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY'
Trump described Graham as far more than a political ally.
Calling him "like a member of the family to me," Trump said the two spoke frequently by phone and regularly played golf together.
In an interview with CNN's State of the Union, Trump said Graham also spent part of their last conversation talking about his recent visit to Ukraine. He recalled that the senator "had a great trip" and appeared pleased with the outcome of his meetings.
Graham had travelled to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just one day before his death.
Trump also reflected on Graham's long political career, saying the senator possessed a rare ability to bridge divides in Washington.
"If I had a problem, a real problem, I wouldn't often ask. But if I had a problem with a Democrat, he could work it out," Trump said.
"He was a great, he was a great politician, actually."
FROM TRUMP'S CRITIC TO CLOSE ALLY
Graham's close relationship with Trump developed over several years despite a rocky beginning.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Graham was one of Trump's sharpest critics. While running for president himself, he accused Trump of running "a campaign on xenophobia, race-baiting, religious bigotry -- that cannot be Republican conservatism."
Graham later said he voted for neither Trump nor Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
The senator again broke publicly with Trump after the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
"Trump and I, we've had a hell of a journey," Graham said at the time.
"I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my point of view, he's been a consequential president, but today, first thing you'll see."
He added: "All I can say is a count me out. Enough is enough."
Weeks later, however, Graham voted to acquit Trump during his impeachment trial, saying the case against the Republican leader had been driven by "passion and hatred against President Trump."
Over time, the two rebuilt their relationship and became close political allies.
Reflecting on that evolution, Trump said the friendship grew naturally after the 2016 campaign.
"We sort of got a little bit friendly, and just the friendship grew," he said.
"It just grew, and he was an amazing advocate. He was -- I don't know how you find anybody like him."
Earlier this year, Trump endorsed Graham's re-election campaign, calling him "a wonderful friend to me" who had "always been there when I needed him."
