President Trump Delivers Eulogy At Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Funeral: “He Was Extremely Hawkish”

President Trump said his friend “never saw a war that he didn’t like.”

“Above all, Lindsey Graham believed in a strong America,” Mr. Trump said. “He wanted a strong America. He had unwavering faith in the righteousness of American power and prayer. And he was extremely hawkish. I will tell you, he never saw a war that he didn’t like … but he wanted it for the good of our country.”

“He felt in his bones that our destiny is to win, and that his job was to do everything he could to ensure our enemies would lose,” Mr. Trump added.

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PRESIDENT TRUMP on Lindsey Graham: "He was EXTREMELY hawkish, I will tell you."

"He NEVER saw a war he didn't like."

"Only his true friends would understand, but he wanted it for the good of our country." pic.twitter.com/befqGVizrb

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 28, 2026

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President Donald Trump paid tribute Tuesday to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., praising his “towering impact” on American politics while recalling humorous stories that underscored the senator’s wit and larger-than-life personality.

Speaking at Graham’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral, Trump called the South Carolina Republican “a beloved friend, a devoted brother, a respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate, and a true American original.”

“By the strength of his steadfast convictions, the force of his magnetic personality and the goodness of his noble soul, Lindsey rose from a small town in rural South Carolina … to become a constant fixture of American politics at the highest level,” Trump said. “Nothing of significance happened anywhere in the world without Lindsey Graham having a view on it.”

Trump mixed heartfelt praise with stories that drew laughter from mourners. He recounted how Graham joked that the key to running his parents’ bar was being “funny enough that people will keep coming back” while also being “tough enough” to thrive, saying those qualities defined Graham’s political career. Trump also recalled Graham declining an invitation from Sen. Tim Scott to an 8:30 a.m. prayer breakfast, quipping, “Tim, if Jesus himself comes back before 10 a.m., I ain’t going yet.”

Calling Graham’s influence felt around the world, Trump said it was “a testament to his towering impact” that presidents, prime ministers and other world leaders traveled to Washington to honor the longtime senator. “No matter how high he rose, he never forgot where he came from,” Trump said, adding that Graham helped communities across South Carolina while remaining a force on the national and international stage.

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Trump takes issue with the Lindsey Graham eulogy he's reading: "Virtually everyone liked Lindsey. Well, not everybody. But it sounds good. I have to be honest. I have to veer from this for a second." pic.twitter.com/L5JwAXxWi0

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 28, 2026

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Trump taps on Lindsey Graham's casket pic.twitter.com/NJtU4d7Led

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 28, 2026

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