US President Donald Trump has revealed that he spoke with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham only minutes before his sudden death, saying the influential lawmaker sounded tired but gave no indication that he was seriously ill.
Trump disclosed details of their final conversation during an unexpected appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. Graham had originally been scheduled as the programme’s principal guest following his return from Ukraine.
The South Carolina senator died at his Washington home on Saturday evening at the age of 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”
“I spoke to him, and it could have been minutes before,” Trump told presenter Kristen Welker.
According to Trump, Graham said he was feeling “a little tired” after returning from an exhausting overseas trip but otherwise appeared normal and insisted that he was fine.
Trump said he later learned that emergency personnel had been called to Graham’s home at around 8 p.m., leading him to believe their telephone conversation may have taken place shortly before the senator collapsed.
“He sounded totally normal,” Trump said, describing Graham as a close friend and a prominent political figure whose contribution would likely be appreciated even more after his death.
Emergency response and FBI involvement
Emergency dispatch recordings obtained by US media indicated that fire and medical personnel were sent to Graham’s Capitol Hill residence following a report of cardiac arrest.
FBI Director Kash Patel subsequently announced that the bureau was assisting Washington authorities and had made “every necessary resource” available.
However, neither the FBI nor local police has publicly suggested that foul play was suspected, and officials have not announced the opening of a criminal investigation.
Preliminary findings from the District of Columbia medical examiner reportedly indicated that Graham suffered an aortic tear associated with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A final death certificate is expected only after toxicology and microscopic examinations are completed.
Graham’s office initially provided no specific medical cause, saying only that he had died following a sudden illness and asking for privacy for his family.
Final trip to Ukraine
Graham had returned shortly before his death from his tenth wartime visit to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discussed Russia, proposed sanctions and continued US backing for Ukraine.
He was expected to discuss the trip and the latest international developments during his scheduled Sunday television appearance.
Welker said she had communicated with Graham shortly before he travelled and described him as highly enthusiastic about appearing on the programme. One of his senior aides reportedly said there had been no visible signs of illness and that Graham remained energetic throughout the trip.
Trump mourns close political ally
Trump announced Graham’s death in a message on Truth Social, calling him one of the greatest people and senators he had ever known.
He described Graham as a tireless worker and a devoted American patriot whose death would leave a major void in Washington.
The two men had developed a close political and personal relationship despite Graham’s fierce criticism of Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential campaign.
Graham later emerged as one of Trump’s most dependable Senate allies and a leading Republican voice on military affairs, Israel, Iran, Russia and Ukraine.
First elected to the Senate in 2002 and sworn into office in 2003, Graham was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. He had been campaigning for a fifth term in the November elections at the time of his death.
