Washington, United States – Web Desk: The final phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham before the senator’s reported death has come to light, according to US media reports.
According to Axios, Senator Graham spoke with President Trump by phone on Saturday night, updating him on his recent visit to Ukraine and discussing proposed legislation that would impose additional sanctions on Russia, which he intended to introduce in the US Senate.
During the conversation, Trump reportedly informed Graham that the United States was preparing additional military strikes against Iran following another reported attack on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Axios further reported that shortly after the call, another individual who spoke with Graham said the senator mentioned he was feeling unwell. When advised to seek immediate medical attention, Graham reportedly replied that he would visit a doctor after his scheduled appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday morning.
According to the report, Graham also joked that he “couldn’t die yet” because he still wanted to pass the Russia sanctions bill, resolve the Iran issue, and help advance efforts toward normalising relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Axios said the senator died several hours after that conversation.
Separately, President Trump said during an interview with NBC News on Sunday that he had spoken with Graham only hours before his reported death.
“He was tired, but otherwise he seemed fine. I think his death was very sudden,” Trump said.
US media reported that Graham’s family confirmed his death, saying he passed away after his health suddenly deteriorated.
The veteran Republican senator had recently visited Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday.
First elected to the US Senate in 2003, Graham served continuously for more than two decades and was widely regarded as one of President Trump’s closest political allies. He was also considered one of Washington’s most influential voices on foreign policy and national security, frequently advising Trump on issues related to Iran, Russia, and broader US foreign policy.
