Trump Discusses Lindsey Graham's Death, Recalls 'One Bad Moment' on Fox News
Following Senator Lindsey Graham's sudden death at 71 from a torn aorta, President Donald Trump gave a Fox News interview where he praised Graham as family but also highlighted Graham's brief post-January 6 criticism as his "one bad moment." Trump joked about Graham's golf skills and phone calls, while Fox hosts struggled to keep the tribute on track. In his first public speech afterward, Trump omitted Graham entirely, instead promoting an IndyCar race.
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Trump Omits Mention of Lindsey Graham in First Speech After Senator's Death
Donald Trump's first public speech following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham did not include any reference to the South Carolina Republican. Instead, Trump used the platform to promote an upcoming IndyCar race on the National Mall for America's 250th anniversary. While Trump had praised Graham in Sunday interviews—calling him 'like a member of the family' and lauding his defense of Brett Kavanaugh—by Monday morning on Fox News, he reduced Graham's 23-year Senate career to a single 'bad moment' after the January 6 insurrection, when Graham briefly criticized Trump's election conspiracy claims before recanting. Trump laughed about the incident, giving Graham a '99 instead of a 100.' Fox hosts struggled to redirect Trump to discuss Graham's death, as the president instead focused on his SAVE America Act and complaints about mail-in ballots and California elections. Graham died Saturday night from a torn aorta due to hardening of the arteries.
Trump Omits Mention of Lindsey Graham in First Speech After Senator's Death
Donald Trump's first public speech following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham did not include any reference to the South Carolina Republican. Instead, Trump used the appearance to promote an upcoming IndyCar race on the National Mall. While Trump had offered warm praise for Graham in Sunday interviews—calling him 'like a member of the family' and lauding his defense of Brett Kavanaugh—by Monday morning, Trump's tone shifted sharply. During a Fox News call, Trump reduced Graham's 23-year Senate career to a single 'bad moment' after the January 6 insurrection, when Graham briefly criticized Trump's election conspiracy claims before recanting. Trump laughed about the incident, giving Graham a '99 instead of a 100.' Fox hosts struggled to steer the conversation back to Graham's death, as Trump pivoted to complaints about mail-in ballots and his SAVE America Act. Graham died Saturday from a torn aorta.
Trump Omits Mention of Lindsey Graham in First Speech After Senator's Death
Donald Trump's first public speech following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham did not include any reference to the South Carolina Republican. Instead, Trump used the platform to promote an upcoming IndyCar race on the National Mall for America's 250th anniversary. While Trump had praised Graham in Sunday interviews—calling him 'like a member of the family' and lauding his defense of Brett Kavanaugh—by Monday morning on Fox News, he reduced Graham's 23-year Senate career to a single 'bad moment' after the January 6 insurrection, when Graham briefly criticized Trump's election conspiracy claims before recanting. Trump laughed about the incident, giving Graham a '99 instead of a 100.' Fox hosts struggled to redirect the conversation to Graham's death, as Trump pivoted to discussing his SAVE America Act and complaining about mail-in ballots. Graham died Saturday night from a torn aorta due to hardening of the arteries.
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Trump Recounts Sometimes Rocky Relationship With Lindsey Graham
President Donald Trump detailed his once-rocky relationship with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Monday, less than two days after Graham's sudden death. In a Fox News interview, Trump joked about Graham's weak golfing skills, saying he 'wasn't Tiger' and wasn't a 'great striker of the ball.' Trump also recalled that Graham regularly phoned him, prompting Trump to say 'Stop calling me, Lindsey.' Trump noted Graham's criticism during the 2016 presidential campaign and after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, when Graham said he had reached his breaking point. However, Graham repaired the relationship after the 2016 election, becoming one of Trump's closest confidants and a key liaison between the White House and Senate. Trump, who has also praised Graham since his death, said he spoke to the senator shortly before he died on Saturday night after Graham returned from a trip to Ukraine.
Trump Reveals Lindsey Graham's 'One Bad Moment' After Senator's Death at 71
Former President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview, discussed the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who died at age 71. Trump characterized Graham's brief criticism of him over the January 6 Capitol riot as his 'one bad moment,' claiming Graham retracted the criticism about 40 minutes later. The interview, intended as a tribute, reportedly went off the rails as Fox hosts struggled to keep Trump on topic. Multiple news outlets covered the event, noting Trump both remembered and took shots at his former ally, highlighting the complex relationship between the two Republicans.