During his eulogy for Lindsey Graham, President Donald Trump read out the late senator’s phone number while recounting their bitter rivalry on the campaign trail.
Speaking to U.S. officials and foreign dignitaries gathered at Washington National Cathedral, Trump remembered how, in 2015, he had publicized Graham’s personal cell phone number during a rally. “His phone exploded,” Trump noted.
He then rattled off the digits again just in case, Trump said, “anybody wants to give it a shot.”
The president also described Graham as a “tough cookie” who “never saw a war he didn’t like.”
Among those in attendance are Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Earlier in the day, Graham’s remains were taken to the U.S. Capitol for a private ceremony. Another funeral service will be held in South Carolina tomorrow.
Graham, who died unexpectedly this month of an aortic rupture at age 71, served for more than two decades in the Senate. He was a foreign policy hawk, frequently advocating for greater U.S. interventionism overseas, and a close ally of President Trump.
His younger sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to serve out the remainder of his term, and she is now running for a full six-year term with Trump’s endorsement.
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During his eulogy, Trump veered from his prepared remarks
At one point during his eulogy, President Trump briefly departed from his prepared remarks.
“Virtually everyone, Republican or Democrat, liked Lindsey,” the 80-year-old president said. “Well, not everybody. But it sounds good. Not everybody.”
“I have to veer from this for a second. He was a tough cookie,” Trump said.
IN PHOTOS: Mourners gather in cathedral as eulogies are given
Numerous U.S. officials and foreign dignitaries are gathered inside Washington National Cathedral for Graham’s funeral, photos show. Donald Trump, Sean Hannity and Graham’s niece delivered eulogies.
Late senator's niece: 'He was the foundation of our family'
Emillie Boggs Roberts, Graham’s niece, was the third person to deliver a tribute to the late senator.
“Lindsey was always there for all of us,” she told those gathered inside Washington National Cathedral. “He wasn't just an uncle, a brother, a nephew. He was the foundation of our family.”
“When you needed advice or a problem solved or a helping hand, you turned to Lindsey,” Boggs Roberts said. “But hopefully the help you needed didn’t involve cleaning or manual labor because, if so, you were out of luck.”
She also joked about the late senator’s driving abilities.
“Those of you who did not have the privilege of driving with Lindsey Graham, consider yourself blessed,” she said.
“He was so strong, confident, witty and full of life,” she concluded, while fighting back tears. “He was the most selfless person I have ever known.”
Sean Hannity remembers Graham's work ethic
During his eulogy for Graham, Fox News host Sean Hannity recounted how much the late senator loved his job and how he spent all his energy “fighting for what he believed in.”
He specifically brought up the South Carolina lawmaker’s foreign policy positions, noting how he was a defender of Ukraine and Israel.
Addressing Trump, Hannity said Graham would “be so honored that you’re here today.”
“He loved the meals that you shared; he loved the late night conversations that you had,” the TV host continued, adding that Trump gave Graham a front-row seat to history.
Trump reads out Graham's old phone number while recounting campaign rivalry
Trump recalled how he and Graham “did not exactly get off to the best of starts,” referring to the 2016 presidential campaign, when both men ran for the Republican nomination.
The president remembered how, in July 2015, he publicly read out Graham’s personal cell phone number during a rally — and then again rattled off the number inside the cathedral.
“His phone exploded,” Trump noted.
Trump remembers Graham as 'a giant' of the Senate
President Trump remembered Graham as a “respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate and a true American original.”
In Trump’s telling, the late senator was “the first person to make you laugh and one of the last people that you really ever wanted to fight.”
Trump has begun his eulogy
President Donald Trump has begun his eulogy.
Washington National Cathedral has long been used for funerals of prominent politicians
Washington National Cathedral, which broke ground in 1907 and sits just a few miles from the White House, has long been a site for funerals and memorial services for prominent political figures.
It has hosted funerals for five former presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.
Memorial services have also been held there for Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr. and Neil Armstrong.
IN PHOTOS: US officials gather inside National Cathedral for Graham's funeral
Top administration officials are gathered inside Washington National Cathedral for Graham’s funeral, including Donald Trump, JD Vance, Pete Hegseth and Scott Bessent.
Netanyahu says he met with Lindsey Graham's family
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he met with Lindsey Graham’s family ahead of the late senator’s funeral.
“Last night, Sara and I joined Lindsey Graham’s family and friends in Washington to honor his memory,” the prime minister wrote on X on Tuesday.
Attendees included DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.