This article was originally published by Tyler Durden at ZeroHedge under the title: “What Makes It Even Stranger…”: Trump Describes Saturday Night Phone Call With Lindsey Graham Hours Before Senator’s Death
Update (1815 ET):
Officially, Lindsey Graham died of an aortic dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, according to preliminary findings by the DC Medical Examiner – so who knows. An aortic dissection is characterized by a tear in the aortic wall.
Update (1135ET): President Trump has weighed in on Graham’s death, telling Meet the Press that Graham called him in the ‘early evening,’ to tell Trump he was ‘all set for the Save America Act,’ and that it may have been the last call Graham made.
“What makes it even stranger is that I got a call last night sometime in, you know, the early evening, maybe in the 7:00’s. And he called, and he said, “We’re all set for the Save America Act,”” Trump told host Kristen Walker. “He was pushing the Save America Act like crazy. He got back, said he just landed from Ukraine. I said, “That’s a long trip to make.””
Graham notably toured a top-secret Ukrainian ‘Skyfall’ drone factory (see more below) days before his death, where the country’s deadly ‘Baba Yaga’ Vampire bomber drones are manufactured. He also announced an upcoming Russian sanctions package and said that the US can learn a lot from Ukraine’s UAV advancements.
“I believe that it would be a huge mistake for America not to cooperate with Ukraine in the field of drones. They are ready to help us, because we were ready to support Ukraine in the most difficult times,” Graham said.
When asked about a replacement for Graham, Trump said, “I have somebody that I think would be great. But I don’t want to say it now because, you know, it’s too soon with Lindsey. I don’t want to even talk about anybody. But I do have somebody that I think is really good.”
International Response
In reaction to Graham’s death, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid tribute, describing Graham as “a true defender of freedom and of the values that make our world safer.” He highlighted that Graham had visited Ukraine ten times during the war, noting they were in constant dialogue. Zelenskyy added that Graham had been working on key initiatives in recent weeks to advance peace, including stronger sanctions against Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called Graham a “true friend” and “one of the strongest voices” supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia. He praised Graham for pushing to bolster sanctions on Russia and for helping provide Ukraine with the means to defend itself.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described Graham as “a powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance” and noted that he was actively working to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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Lindsey Graham, the Republican foreign-policy hawk from South Carolina, died abruptly on Saturday following what his office described as “a brief and sudden illness,” according to a statement posted on X.
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” Graham’s office said.
Graham had served in the Senate since 2003 and was seeking a fifth term. He was in Kyiv on Friday, touring a major drone factory before returning to Washington, where he was scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning.
Emergency personnel responded to his home in Washington on a reported cardiac arrest on Saturday evening, according to NBC News.
President Trump commented early Sunday on Truth Social about the passing of the senator, calling him a “true American Patriot.”
Trump said, “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!!!”
To note, Graham was on an Iranian kill list. Just days ago, Trump said if he were assassinated, then “bomb them at levels never seen before.”
Graham was once a fierce Trump critic, denouncing him during the 2016 presidential campaign before transforming into one of his most loyal supporters. He also advocated a hard line against Iran and consistently backed a strong US military posture overseas.