Former President Donald Trump characterized the late Senator Lindsey Graham as someone who favored military action during a eulogy at Graham's funeral in Washington. Trump stated, "I mean Lindsey liked war, to be honest with you," and noted that Graham was eager to utilize American military strength. The funeral service, held at the Washington National Cathedral, was attended by leaders from Israel and Ukraine, coinciding with an anticipated vote on legislation to sanction Russia.
Trump reflected on Graham's hawkish stance, saying, "He was extremely hawkish. I will tell you, he never saw a war that he didn't like." He emphasized that Graham's motivations were rooted in a desire to protect the United States. In a prior interview on Fox News, Trump mentioned that Graham had shifted his views on military action against Iran and supported a resolution to end that conflict in his later days, while still advocating for continued support for Ukraine.
During the interview, Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt noted that Graham's sister, Darline, defended her brother's legacy, stating, "He didn't love war, he loved peace and the end of war. But sometimes war is necessary." Trump did not respond to this comment. He had recently endorsed Darline Graham for her brother's former Senate seat.
Trump described Graham as a "great politician" and reflected on their evolving relationship, which began with tension but grew into a close friendship. He acknowledged their differences during the 2016 presidential campaign and their subsequent reconciliations, including golfing together and Graham's support for Trump's 2024 campaign. Trump humorously recounted sharing Graham's phone number during their rivalry, which he said marked the beginning of their friendship.