Trump calls Lindsey Graham's death 'big blow' to SAVE America Act: 'We're going to get it done'

Remembering the late South Carolina senator, President Donald Trump said Graham's death was a major loss for the SAVE America Act
President Trump on Sunday, July 12, said Sen Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) sudden death is a 'big blow to' the safeguard American voter eligibility-SAVE America Act, the president’s legislative priority. (Getty Images)
President Trump on Sunday, July 12, said Sen Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) sudden death is a 'big blow to' the safeguard American voter eligibility-SAVE America Act, the president’s legislative priority. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump remembered his staunch supporter, Lindsey Graham, as a great loss to the SAVE America Act after the senator's death.

Lindsey Graham’s legacy as a Trump booster involves him defending Trump and advocating for the Trump agenda, particularly on conservative judicial appointments and foreign policy.

Trump says Graham’s death hurts SAVE America Act

President Trump on Sunday, July 12, said Sen Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) sudden death is a “big blow to” the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, the president’s legislative priority.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House on April 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. The proclamation expands fishing rights in the Pacific Islands to an area he described as three times the size of California. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House on April 17, 2025 in Washington, DC.  ( Win McNamee/Getty Images)

“This is a big blow to the SAVE America Act, let me tell you,” Trump told Welker.

Trump said he spoke with Graham earlier Saturday night, saying the late senator had just landed from Ukraine and said “we’re all set for the SAVE America Act.”

“He sounded a little tired but perfect, but a little bit tired, and had a right to be,” the president continued.

“He was a worker, he was really a worker. But he sounded great, actually, but he actually said he was tired. But he wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, ‘We’re going to get it done, Lindsey, we’re going to get it done, I’ll see you, like soon. We might even meet today.'”

Asked by host Welker what his last words were to Graham, the president said he would “see you soon.”

“‘Come over anytime you want,'” he continued. “He came into the White House a lot because I liked him. Can’t do that with everybody.”

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 6: (L-R) President Donald Trump shakes hands with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Sen Lindsey Graham (R-SC) during an event about judicial confirmations in the East Room of the White House on November 6, 2019 in Washington, DC.  (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Trump knows who will replace Graham, refuses to reveal name

President Donald Trump revealed he already has someone in mind to succeed Sen Lindsey Graham in the US Senate, but said he will not disclose the name yet, arguing it is "too soon" following the longtime South Carolina Republican's death.

“I have somebody that I think would be great, but I don’t want to say it now because it just, you know, it’s too soon with Lindsey,” Trump said in the interview.

“They’ll have some people joining. Some are good, some are bad,” he said. “I never thought I’d be in this position. I thought Lindsey was going to be living forever … He was going to win by a lot.”

Trump pays tribute to ‘true patriot’

Trump announced Graham’s death in an emotional statement, describing him as one of his closest allies in Congress.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 22: U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the final presidential debate against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at Belmont University on October 22, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. This is the last debate between the two candidates before the election on November 3. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump participates in the final presidential debate against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at Belmont University on October 22, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!” Trump wrote.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Ron Johnson and six other Republicans urged a delay, demanding a review of election losses and changes in party leadership
2026-11-11T05:21:52.000Z
Trump accused the BBC of deliberately editing his speech to make it appear he had directly encouraged violent action
2026-11-11T04:47:49.000Z
In his memoir, Joe Biden described the apparent contradiction as 'as if there were two Donald Trumps'
2026-11-11T03:52:24.000Z
Nine Kennedy family members opposed Donald Trump's arch, arguing it would obstruct views of President John F Kennedy’s grave and Eternal Flame
2026-11-11T03:40:32.000Z
US officials have reportedly assessed that Iran's ability to launch attacks within the country and other overseas territories remains limited
2026-11-11T03:18:55.000Z
Mike Johnson called Democrats taking control of the House a 'great tragedy,' saying Republicans could have continued delivering on their agenda
2026-11-11T02:12:06.000Z
Members of both parties in the House, including returning and newly elected lawmakers, meet privately to choose their leaders through secret ballot voting
2026-11-10T20:48:49.000Z
A three-judge panel of a federal appeals court ruled against the Trump administration’s plan to investigate the government’s confidential data leak cases, suggesting access to journalists’ LinkedIn records could impart a 'damaging blow' to First Amendment rights
2026-11-10T20:03:35.000Z
As the House prepares to consider a vote on Hegseth’s impeachment resolution, administration officials and Republican allies, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have defended the Pentagon chief’s military actions in Iran
2026-11-10T18:54:10.000Z
Senator Rick Scott, who signed a letter calling for Tuesday’s leadership vote to be postponed, said Republicans should first decide what they want to achieve before choosing their leader
2026-11-10T17:09:57.000Z