President Donald Trump shared details of his last conversation with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), describing a warm exchange with the longtime ally just hours before the senator’s unexpected death.
In remarks on Sunday, Trump said he spoke with Graham around 7 p.m. the previous evening. The two may have even spent time together earlier that day, according to the president. Trump noted that Graham had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine and appeared fatigued, but otherwise sounded like himself.
Graham, 71, passed away following a brief and sudden illness shortly after returning from Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and visited defense facilities focused on drone technology. The senator had been a vocal advocate for strong U.S. support for Ukraine and had traveled there multiple times since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
A close Trump ally and influential Republican voice on foreign policy, Graham served in the Senate since 2002 and was known for his hawkish stance on national security issues, including robust backing for Israel and criticism of adversaries like Russia and Iran. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum.
Trump praised Graham effusively, calling him “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known” and a “true American Patriot” who was “always working.” The president directed that U.S. flags be lowered to half-staff in Graham’s honor.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement to fill the Senate seat until a special election. Trump indicated he has a preferred candidate in mind but said it was “too soon” to name them publicly.
Graham’s passing comes amid ongoing international tensions, including U.S. policy debates over Ukraine aid and sanctions on Russia. His final trip underscored his commitment to these issues, with visits highlighting Ukrainian drone production capabilities and discussions on potential diplomatic paths forward.
Colleagues and world leaders have remembered Graham as a dedicated public servant whose influence extended across party lines on key foreign policy matters. His death leaves a significant void in the Senate’s Republican caucus and in Washington’s foreign policy circles.
