President Donald Trump delivered a eulogy Tuesday for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham at the Washington National Cathedral, reflecting on how their relationship evolved from heated political rivalry into a close friendship that lasted until Graham's death earlier this month. Trump acknowledged that a controversial campaign stunt in 2015 — when he publicly disclosed Graham's personal cellphone number — unexpectedly marked the beginning of their bond.
«As you remember, Lindsey and I did not exactly get off to the best of starts,» Trump said during his address, adding that Graham had made a «nasty» comment when both were running for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. «So naturally, I did something that I shouldn't have done,» the president continued. «I shared his personal cellphone number with the millions of people that happened to be watching that particular day as I made a speech, a very important speech.»
Trump then repeated the number — (202) 228-0292 — drawing laughter from the congregation. He described how Graham's phone «exploded» with calls and messages, a moment that Graham later said disrupted a number he had held for 20 years. «That was the beginning of a friendship, in a way,» Trump said. He added with characteristic humor, «But it was Lindsey who had the last laugh, because while I blew up his phone all for one day, we became great friends and Lindsey did not stop calling me for the next 10 years.»
The unlikely friendship that followed included frequent rounds of golf and late-night phone calls, with Graham becoming one of Trump's most vocal advocates in the Senate. Trump noted that for more than 30 years, «nothing of consequence happened in this Capitol without Lindsey Graham knowing about it» and «no bill became law without Lindsey Graham having a say in it.» Since Graham's death, Trump has repeatedly spoken about the senator's constant presence in his life.
The funeral service drew a large gathering of political figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, both of whom were close allies of Graham. Much of the Senate attended, including Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who wore a suit — a rare sight not seen even at Trump's second inauguration. The cathedral became a gathering place for those Graham worked alongside, advocated for, and, at times, fought.
Trump's affection for Graham was evident throughout his remarks. He called him a «beloved friend, a devoted brother, a respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate, and a true American original who left us much too soon.» The president's eulogy combined humor and warmth, reprising the famous feud over the phone number while emphasizing the depth of their later partnership. Graham, who served as a senator from South Carolina for over two decades, had been a leading force on defense, foreign policy, and judicial matters.
The relationship between Trump and Graham was initially marked by sharp exchanges during the 2016 campaign. Graham had criticized Trump harshly, and Trump responded by attacking Graham personally and, as he acknowledged Tuesday, by sharing his phone number. Yet the two eventually found common ground, with Graham becoming a key ally in advancing Trump's legislative agenda, including tax cuts, deregulation, and judicial appointments. Their friendship became one of the more remarkable transformations in recent American politics.
Graham's death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from both parties. His final mission — securing continued aid for Ukraine and strengthening NATO partnerships — had been a priority in his final years. At the funeral, world leaders and lawmakers alike paid their respects, underscoring Graham's influence on the global stage. Trump's eulogy served as a personal capstone to a complex but consequential political career.
