Trump reveals details of final phone call with Graham after senator’s death, calls loss ‘big blow’ to SAVE act

President Donald Trump revealed Sunday that he may have been among the last people to speak with Sen. Lindsey Graham, recounting a phone call shortly before the South Carolina Republican died Saturday at 71 after what his office called a "brief and sudden illness."

"It could have been his last call. I don't know exactly, but I got a message about one o'clock in the morning from one of the people at his office that he had passed away. I said, you got, I just can't believe it," Trump said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

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Trump told host Kristen Welker that Graham called him in the early evening after returning to Washington from Ukraine and immediately turned the conversation to the SAVE America Act, a Republican election bill Graham had co-sponsored that would require voter identification in federal elections and proof of citizenship to register.

"He called, and he said, 'We're all set for the SAVE America Act.' 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.' He said he sounded a little tired, but perfect, but a little bit tired," Trump said.

"This is a big blow to the SAVE America Act, let me tell you," he added later.

The president said Graham told him he felt well despite being tired from the trip. Trump said authorities were called to Graham's home not long after their conversation, while Welker noted that initial reports involved a cardiac arrest.

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"He told me, Kristen, he said, 'You know, I feel good, but I'm tired.' He was fine. I knew him. I knew him well. He would, he would let you know if he wasn't feeling well," Trump said.

Trump also described Graham, who became one of his closest Senate allies after challenging him in the 2016 Republican presidential primary, as both a skilled legislator and a personal friend.

"He was like a member of the family to me. It's very tough, actually. It's amazing," Trump said.

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When asked whom Gov. Henry McMaster should appoint to fill the vacancy temporarily, Trump said he had a preferred candidate but would not identify that person so soon after Graham'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.

Graham’s office put out a statement following his death, saying his family appreciated prayers and requested privacy, but it did not disclose additional details about the senator's passing.

Graham had served in the Senate since 2003 after eight years in the House and was seeking another term in November. McMaster is expected to appoint an interim successor before South Carolina holds a special election.