Lindsey Graham death updates: Trump says senator ‘sounded a little tired’ during final conversation night before he died

“He was a tough one to lose,” President Donald Trump said of Graham in an interview with Meet The Press on Sunday morning. “He was great, he was unique in every way”

Trump said what “makes it even stranger” is that he received a call from the late senator on Saturday evening.

“He called and said that we’re all set for the SAVE America Act. He was pushing the SAVE America Act like crazy,” Trump said.

The president made the last-minute arrangement to appear on the program after Graham’s death was announced just after 2 a.m. Sunday. Graham was originally slated to appear as one of the program’s guests this week, and made frequent appearances on the show over the decades.

Host Kristen Welker told NBC’s Willie Geist on Sunday that Trump was “devastated” after hearing the news of Graham’s death.

The president made the last-minute arrangement to appear on the program after Graham’s death was announced just after 2 a.m. Sunday. Graham was originally slated to appear as one of the program’s guests this week, and made frequent appearances on the show over the decades.

Host Kristen Welker told NBC’s Willie Geist on Sunday that Trump was “devastated” after hearing the news of Graham’s death.

South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews, who was set to face off against Graham in November, said she sends her “deepest condolences” to the family of the late Republican.

“I hope that South Carolinians will join me in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude to Senator Lindsey Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina,” Andrews wrote on X.

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott remembered Graham as a “statesman” and a “friend.”

“Lindsey remained committed to public service and doing what he loved,” the the Palmetto State Republican wrote on X Sunday morning. “He always introduced levity and brought wit to the most challenging moments. Lindsey will be missed.”

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters said he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death.

“For more than four decades — as an Air Force officer and a member of Congress — he served our country with honor, and as one of President Trump’s closest allies in the Senate, he fought tirelessly for our military and for American leadership on the world stage,” Gruters said.

“Our prayers are with his family, his friends, and his staff as they grieve this heartbreaking loss.”

Meghan McCain paid tribute to Lindsey Graham, remembering his friendship with her father, the late John McCain.

“From the time he met my Dad they were fast friends and political comrades,” Meghan McCain wrote in a lengthy tribute on X.

“In fact there are few memories I have of my Dad’s political career and my life accompanying it that don’t somehow involve Lindsey.”

Former President George W. Bush said he and his wife, Laura, were “saddened to wake up to the shocking news of Senator Lindsey Graham’s death.”

“He was a knowledgeable Senator who understood how the world works and how important America’s international engagement is to resist tyranny,” Bush said in a statement.

“He was a kind and funny man who loved our country and loved serving it. South Carolina was fortunate to have such a committed public servant in its corner. And I was fortunate to have known Lindsey Graham.”

Nancy Mace paid tribute to Lindsey Graham on Sunday, writing on social media, “South Carolina lost a giant last night.”

“For more than three decades, Lindsey Graham gave everything he had to this state and this country, from the Air Force to the United States Senate,” she wrote.

“We did not always agree, but no one ever questioned his love for South Carolina or the fight he brought to every room he walked into. Please join me in praying for his family and for all who called him a friend. Rest easy, Senator.”