During a memorial service at Washington National Cathedral, President Donald Trump delivered a eulogy for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), remembering him as a "beloved friend" and a "true American original." The prepared remarks, lasting just over 14 minutes, touched on Graham's extensive legislative influence.
"For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened without Lindsey Graham knowing about it," Trump stated to an audience that included Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Nothing of significance happened anywhere in the world without Lindsey Graham having a view on it, and no bill became law in the most exceptional republic in human history without Lindsey Graham having a say in it."
Trump's speech took an unexpected turn when he departed from his prepared text to comment on a line regarding Graham's popularity across the political spectrum. Reading from the text, Trump said, "Virtually everyone, Republican or Democrat, liked Lindsey." He then interjected, "Well, not everybody, but it sounds good. Not everybody. He was a tough cookie, OK? I have to be— veer from this for a second." He addressed Graham's sister, Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), adding, "He was a tough cookie, Darline. But he was beautiful."
Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at the age of 71 due to an aortic dissection. Initially a vocal critic of Trump, Graham evolved into one of the president's staunchest allies in the Senate. According to an Axios report, the two men last spoke by phone just hours before Graham's death.
In a previous "Meet the Press" interview, Trump recalled their final conversation, which occurred shortly after Graham's return from Ukraine. Trump described Graham as sounding "a little tired, but perfect" during the call. He noted that Graham had been focused on their shared legislative priority, the SAVE America Act, stating the senator was "pushing the SAVE America Act like crazy."
On Monday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) appointed Darline Graham to fill her late brother's Senate seat, a term set to conclude in January 2027. She told Fox News that she learned hard work from her brother and that he cared deeply for the people of South Carolina, expressing her readiness to serve the state.