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Trump mourns Graham as 'family' after death ends a decade of shifting alliances

WASHINGTON, July 18. President Donald Trump described the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as "a member of the family" following Graham's death at 71, closing out a relationship that had moved from open contempt to steady alliance. Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the two had spoken by phone the night before Graham died and that he believed the call "could have been his last." Word reached Trump around 1:00 in the morning from someone in Graham's office, he said.

By Julian Merrick2 min read
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Key takeaways

  • President Donald Trump called the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died at 71, "a member of the family."
  • Trump said he spoke with Graham by phone the night before his death and was notified of the death around 1:00 a.m. by someone in Graham's office.
  • During the 2016 campaign Graham and Trump were open rivals, with Graham warning Trump would "destroy" the party and Trump calling Graham "a disgrace" and "one of the dumbest human beings."
  • After saying "count me out" following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, Graham later became one of Trump's most consistent Senate allies in his second term.
  • Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee, backed Trump's "one, big beautiful bill," and championed the SAVE America Act before his now-empty seat drew private maneuvering over a successor.

WASHINGTON, July 18. President Donald Trump described the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as "a member of the family" following Graham's death at 71, closing out a relationship that had moved from open contempt to steady alliance. Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the two had spoken by phone the night before Graham died and that he believed the call "could have been his last." Word reached Trump around 1:00 in the morning from someone in Graham's office, he said.

A public feud that neither side tried to hide

The arc between the two men began in opposition. Graham, running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, said at the time that nominating Trump would lead the party to be "destroyed" and that it would deserve the outcome. He once compared Trump's candidacy to "being shot in the head."

Trump returned the hostility in kind. Speaking to a crowd in South Carolina nine years ago, he called Graham "a disgrace" and "one of the dumbest human beings I've ever seen," adding that he did not think Graham could win a race for dogcatcher in the state. At one point Trump also posted Graham's personal phone number online, prompting Graham to publicly destroy several of his phones.

January 6 and the break

The relationship cracked after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Graham took to the Senate floor as the electoral vote certification neared and said the two had "had a hell of a journey," before adding: "All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough."

That break did not hold.

The alliance that followed

By Trump's second term, Graham had become one of the president's most consistent Senate voices. He chaired the Senate Budget Committee and led support for what Trump called the "one, big beautiful bill." He also championed the SAVE America Act, Trump's election integrity legislation. In the Senate's hallways over the past year and a half, Graham was regularly heard saying he had just spoken with Trump or was headed to the White House to work out a legislative dispute.

In a speech last month, Graham placed the president just below the Almighty. "I want to thank the big guy, God," Graham said. "Trump comes later. Mr. President, you're not far behind God, but we're going to start with him."

Trump recalled his final words on the call: "We'll see you soon. Come over anytime you want." Graham's Senate seat now sits empty, with private maneuvering over a successor already under way.

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Frequently asked

How old was Lindsey Graham when he died?

Lindsey Graham died at the age of 71.

What did Trump say about his last contact with Graham?

Trump said the two spoke by phone the night before Graham died, a call he believed "could have been his last," and he learned of the death around 1:00 a.m. from someone in Graham's office.

How did Graham and Trump's relationship start?

It began in open hostility during the 2016 campaign, with Graham saying Trump would "destroy" the Republican Party and Trump publicly calling Graham "a disgrace" and "one of the dumbest human beings I've ever seen."

What caused the break between Graham and Trump?

After the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, Graham said on the Senate floor "count me out" and "enough is enough," though the break did not last.

What role did Graham play in Trump's second term?

Graham became one of Trump's most consistent Senate allies, chairing the Senate Budget Committee, leading support for the "one, big beautiful bill," and championing the SAVE America Act.