Former President Donald Trump stated that he may have been among the last people to speak with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, recalling a phone call where Graham discussed the SAVE America Act shortly before his death.

"It could have been his last call. I don't know exactly, but I got a message about one o'clock in the morning from one of the people at his office that he had passed away," Trump said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." Trump added that he was informed of Graham's passing around 1 a.m.

Trump told host Kristen Welker that Graham called him in the early evening after returning from a trip to Ukraine. The conversation immediately turned to the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed election bill that Graham co-sponsored. The act proposes requiring voter identification in federal elections and proof of citizenship for voter registration.

"He called, and he said, 'We're all set for the SAVE America Act.' He was pushing the SAVE America Act like crazy," Trump recounted. He mentioned that Graham sounded tired after his long trip from Ukraine but otherwise seemed well.

Trump characterized Graham's death as "a big blow to the SAVE America Act."

According to Trump, Graham told him during the call, "You know, I feel good, but I'm tired." Trump, who knew Graham well, expressed disbelief at his passing, stating that Graham would typically make his health status known if he were not feeling well.

Trump also reflected on his personal relationship with Graham, who was a Senate ally despite having challenged Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary. "He was like a member of the family to me. It's very tough, actually. It's amazing," Trump said.

When asked about potential interim appointments to fill Graham's Senate seat temporarily, Trump indicated he had a preferred candidate but deferred naming them out of respect for the recentness of Graham's death.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican representing South Carolina, died at age 71 after what his office described as a "brief and sudden illness." Graham had served in the Senate since 2003, preceded by eight years in the House of Representatives. He was seeking another term in the upcoming election. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint an interim successor before a special election is held.