Senator Lindsey Graham dies; Trump recalls last call

Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent figure in U.S. foreign policy and a staunch advocate for aid to Ukraine, has died following a "short and sudden illness," according to his office. Former President Donald Trump shared that he spoke with Graham just hours before his passing, recalling a conversation where the senator seemed energetic despite returning from his tenth trip to Ukraine.

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It's devastating. I thought he was doing fine. He called me last night, he just got back from Ukraine... He was full of energy. He was tired, he said, 'I'm tired, it's a long trip,' but otherwise he was feeling fine.

Trump recounted that Graham called him the previous evening, mentioning he was tired from his travels but otherwise felt well. The former president learned of Graham's death overnight. The senator's office confirmed emergency services were called to his home after initial reports of cardiac arrest.

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He called and said, 'Everything's ready on the Save America Act'... I said, 'We'll get it done, Lindsey. We'll see you soon.' We thought maybe we'd even see each other today -- and that was it.

Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina, was known for his hawkish stance on Russia and Iran and his strong support for Ukraine. Trump acknowledged that he and Graham had differing views on the conflict, with Trump favoring a swift end to the war and Graham advocating for continued support. "I thought the war in Ukraine should be over very quickly. I think he was more for continuing it. Frankly, he was very, very hawkish on that subject," Trump told CNN.

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I thought the war in Ukraine should be over very quickly. I think he was more for continuing it. Frankly, he was very, very hawkish on that subject.

Despite these differences, Trump praised Graham as a "tough guy" and a "natural politician" who could bridge divides with Democrats, a skill Trump valued. He recalled meeting Graham a decade ago when they were rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, noting that their relationship evolved into a strong alliance. Trump also highlighted Graham's passionate defense of Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate confirmation hearings as a "greatest moment" for the senator.

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He was tough and mean, but I was mean too, and it ended up okay.