President Donald Trump brought a moment of levity to the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham on Tuesday, recounting a decade-old campaign rivalry that once strained their relationship before evolving into a close friendship.
Speaking at Washington National Cathedral before a gathering of lawmakers, administration officials, and foreign dignitaries, Trump recalled their contentious 2016 Republican primary battle. Graham, then a presidential candidate himself, had sharply criticized Trump. In response during a South Carolina rally, Trump publicly shared what he said was Graham’s personal cell phone number.
“I shared his personal cell phone number with millions of people,” Trump told the audience. He then repeated the number — 202-228-0292 — and added with a grin, “If anybody wants to give it a shot!”
The remark drew widespread laughter throughout the cathedral. Trump noted that Graham’s phone “exploded” with calls that day. Yet the episode, he said, ultimately strengthened their bond.
“It was Lindsey who had the last laugh,” Trump continued, “because while I blew up his phone for one day, we became great friends, and Lindsey did not stop calling me for the next 10 years.”
Graham, 71, died suddenly on July 11 of a brief illness after returning from a trip to Ukraine. The longtime South Carolina Republican served more than two decades in the Senate and was known for his outspoken foreign policy views, military background as an Air Force lawyer and reservist, and ability to build relationships across political lines.
Trump described Graham as “a giant of the United States Senate” and “a true American original,” praising his work ethic, humor, and dedication to public service. The president highlighted their later alliance on issues ranging from national security to judicial nominations.
The funeral followed a morning ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, where Graham’s flag-draped casket lay in the Rotunda. Additional services are scheduled for Wednesday in South Carolina, including a public funeral in Columbia and private burial in Pickens County.
Graham’s death prompted tributes from both parties and international leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among those expected to attend the Washington service, reflecting the senator’s prominent role in supporting U.S. allies abroad.
Trump’s remarks blended remembrance with the personal anecdotes that defined much of his public style, turning a moment of potential tension from the past into a shared laugh among mourners.
