Trump and Graham’s remarkable journey from bitter rivals to brothers-in-arms

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., never sought the nomination of President Donald Trump, let alone win the presidency in 2016.

“If we nominate Trump, we will be destroyed, and we deserve it,” Graham said. in x In that case.

Graham had shared the nomination with Trump and, like many other Republicans on the debate stage, opposed Trump’s candidacy as unreasonable; “He once compared his candidacy to ‘being shot in the head.'”

LINDSEY GRAHAM, THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR WHO RISED FROM SMALL CITY ROOTS TO GOP POWER COMMAND, DIES AT 71

But Trump ultimately clinched the nomination, took the White House, and ultimately won over Graham.

Now, in the fast-paced hours following Graham’s sudden death at age 71, and as private efforts continue behind the scenes to fill his vacant seat, Trump has lost the once-sworn political foe-turned-friend.

Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he had spoken to Graham the night before and believed “this might be his last conversation.”

“I don’t know exactly, but around 1 a.m. I got a text from one of the people in his office that he had passed away. I said, ‘I can’t believe this,'” Trump said. “He was like a member of the family to me. It’s actually very difficult.”

This wasn’t always the case for Trump. Nine years ago, he told a crowd in South Carolina that Graham was “a disgrace” and “one of the stupidest people I’ve ever seen.”

TRUMP REVEALED DETAILS OF THE LAST PHONE CALL WITH GRAHAM AFTER THE DEATH OF THE SENATOR, SAID IT WAS A ‘BIG BLOW’ FOR THE RESCUE OF THE LOST.

“I don’t think he can enter the dog-catcher race in this state and win again,” Trump said at the time. “I really don’t know. Other than that, I think he’s great.”

Still, their relationship has evolved from online and sparring hotties to loyal friends who don’t mind hitting the golf course.

During Trump’s second term, Graham transformed into one of Trump’s most vocal allies in the Senate and a key bridge from the upper chamber to the White House; even after Graham believed Trump should never set foot in the White House.

Trump, who won his primary for the GOP nomination in June, was practically on Graham’s mind.

“I want to thank the great man, God,” Graham said in a speech last month. “Trump will come later. Mr. President, you are not far behind God, but we will start with him.”

GRAHAM’S DEATH IGNITES TROUBLE IN GOP FOR SENATE SEAT, TRUMP IMPLYS HE ALREADY HAD A LOVER

Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham pose for photos on the golf course on June 28, 2025. (via Senator Lindsey Graham, X)

But this respect, whether political or sincere, took time. Years ago, Trump was so angry at Graham at one point that he leaked the lawmaker’s phone number online, prompting Graham to make a show of destroying several of his phones.

And after the riots on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, Graham turned his back on Trump.

Speaking in the Senate as the vote to certify the election approached, Graham said, “Trump and I have had a very difficult journey. I hate that it ends this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my perspective, he was an important president.” “All I can say is don’t count on me. That’s enough.”

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As and during Trump’s second term, Graham became an ardent Trump ally.

As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, he led the push for the “one, big, beautiful bill” and supported Trump’s flagship election integrity bill, the SAVE America Act.

In the Senate corridors over the past year and a half, you would often hear Graham say he had just spoken to Trump or was on his way to the White House to resolve a legislative dispute, whether with Democrats or Republicans.

Now we have run out of road after a tough, explosive and tight journey together.

“I said, ‘See you soon,'” Trump recalled of his last call with Graham. “Come whenever you want. He came to the White House because I liked him. I can’t do that with everyone.”