President Donald Trump revealed that he spoke with the late Senator Lindsey Graham about passing the The SAVE America Act, a landmark election integrity bill that has been stalled in the Senate for months, just hours after he passed away unexpectedly from a sudden illness.
Trump told host Kristen Welker that Graham called him on Saturday night in the early evening around 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The senator had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and toured a Ukrainian drone factory.
“He actually said he was tired, but he wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, ‘Well, we’re going to get it done, Lindsey. We’re going to get it done. I’ll see you, like, soon,’” the president said.
Trump added that they believed they might meet on Sunday. He noted that Graham “had a great trip” to Ukraine and was telling him about it during the call.
The president described Graham’s condition during the conversation as “other than being tired, he was fine” and said Graham sounded “perfect.” Trump later observed that the call “could’ve been his last call.”
Trump characterized Graham as “like a member of the family to me.” He said the two spoke regularly on the phone and golfed together, noting that their relationship had grown over time following tense beginnings.
“We sort of got a little bit friendly, and just the friendship grew… It just grew, and he was an amazing advocate. He was — I don’t know how you find anybody like him,” the president stated.
.@POTUS on the passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham: “He’s a tough one to lose. He was great — he was unique in every way… He was like a member of the family to me. It’s very tough.” pic.twitter.com/1ql4d8KD5j
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 12, 2026
Trump went on to praise Graham’s political skills and ability to work through tough piece of legislation and testy confirmation processes. “He had a unique ability — he was able to deal with Democrats and Republicans. If I had a problem with a Democrat, he could work it out. He was a great politician, actually,” the president continued.
“If he wanted to get something, if he thought he was right, and he had people against him, he could be very tough, actually… But he was a good person.” Trump specifically noted Graham’s defense of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s 2018 nomination as “literally, one of the great classics of anyone in the Senate.”
Trump also commented on the Senate vacancy created by Graham’s death. He said Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina would need to appoint a temporary replacement, with an election to follow.
“Ultimately they’ll have an election,” Trump stated. “Some are good, some are bad. And but I have somebody that I like, but I’m not going to tell you who now because it’s too soon.”
In a statement on Truth Social following Graham’s death, Trump ordered that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff until Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. in honor of the senator. The order recognized “the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina.”
