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Funeral services continued for the late Senator Lindsey Graham on Wednesday, with ceremonies taking place in Washington, D.C., and his home state of South Carolina. Graham, who died on July 11 at age 71, is being honored with a series of memorial events recognizing his decades of service. His funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday also drew a large gathering of political leaders, foreign dignitaries and longtime colleagues.
President Donald Trump paid tribute to Graham on Tuesday, delivering a sweeping eulogy at Washington National Cathedral that cast the Republican as “one of the great figures in Senate history.” Speaking before Cabinet officials, foreign dignitaries and a bipartisan crowd of lawmakers, Trump praised Graham’s decades on Capitol Hill, saying he “died doing the work he was born to do” and “went out at the peak of his career…as a legend.”
Trump remembered Graham as a “true American original” and “a friend none of us will ever forget,” praising his influence in Congress and saying that “no bill became law” without Graham’s imprint. He also noted Graham’s evolution from fierce critic to close ally, calling him “the first person to make you laugh” and “one of the last people that you really wanted to fight.”
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Graham, who served as U.S. senator since 2003, died after suffering a tear in his aorta, according to a preliminary report from the medical examiner. An aortic dissection occurs when a tear forms in the inner wall of the aorta, the body's largest artery, allowing blood to flow between its layers.
Graham’s office said he died surrounded by family members and close friends.
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South Carolina Services for Graham
Wednesday's service in Columbia, South Carolina, was at the First Baptist Church of Columbia. Doors opened at 10 a.m. and the service began around noon.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, South Carolina GOP Senator Tim Scott and Republican South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster attended the service.
Taking to X on Wednesday, Bessent said, in part: "Today, South Carolina has laid to rest one of its most devoted sons in Lindsey Graham. I joined his dear sister Darline and fellow South Carolinians in Columbia to mourn his passing and to honor his memory. The grief felt across the Palmetto State reveals the gratitude of a people who know how completely Lindsey had given himself to them over a lifetime of service.
"May God surround the Graham family with comfort as they draw strength from a grateful state. And may Lindsey’s memory be the blessing his life was."
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Lawmakers Mourn Lindsey Graham as Funeral Events Continue
Lawmakers from both parties showed visible emotion Tuesday at the Capitol as they paid their final respects to Graham. Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, crossed himself at the casket, while former Republican Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina leaned forward to kiss it, pausing for a moment before stepping away.
The tributes in Washington continued Tuesday afternoon at Washington National Cathedral, where Trump, Fox News' Sean Hannity and Graham's niece, Emillie Boggs Roberts, delivered tributes. Additional services were planned in South Carolina on Wednesday.
After meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he offered condolences on Graham’s passing, calling him “a true friend of Ukraine.” Graham traveled frequently to Kyiv over the years, often serving as an informal link between Trump and Zelensky during periods of heightened tension and diplomacy.
The service was livestreamed to the public on the cathedral's website and YouTube channel.
Though Graham was a lifelong Southern Baptist who was baptized at Corinth Baptist Church in Seneca, South Carolina, Tuesday's service took place inside Washington National Cathedral, the Episcopal seat of the Bishop of Washington.
The cathedral, often used for major state funerals and national prayer services, is not a government institution but a private Episcopal church within the Anglican Communion.
Graham frequently spoke about his Christian faith and Southern Baptist upbringing throughout his career, making Wednesday's setting a reminder of how national tradition often intersects with personal religious identity during moments of public mourning.
Earlier Tuesday morning, Graham’s remains arrived at the U.S. Capitol carried by an Armed Forces Body Bearer Team. A U.S. Capitol Police memorial guard stood watch inside the rotunda. That ceremony was also streamed live, according to a press release from his office.
Following the Washington service, Graham’s remains returned to South Carolina for additional public tributes on Wednesday, beginning at 10:45 a.m. ET. A procession stopped at the South Carolina State House before continuing to First Baptist Church of Columbia for a public funeral service. The ceremonies were to conclude with a private family burial in Pickens County, where Graham spent much of his early life.
Graham’s sister and successor in the Senate, Darline Graham, said the family is grateful for the support received in organizing the ceremonies, and thanked the White House, Senate officials and Washington National Cathedral for helping coordinate the tributes.
“I am grateful to all those who have come together to help honor and remember Lindsey. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to President Trump and his team, Washington National Cathedral, Senate leadership, First Baptist Church of Columbia and the Senate Sergeant at Arms for going above and beyond to ensure these will be honorable tributes to Lindsey,” she said.
Speakers Praised Graham's Legacy
At the Capitol on Tuesday, Representative Sheri Biggs, a South Carolina Republican, paid tribute to Graham, recalling him as a lawmaker who never lost sight of his South Carolina roots. She described Graham as authentic, sharp‑witted and driven by a belief that public service is measured by the people whose lives are changed along the way.
“A legacy is built through the lives touched, the relationships formed, and the focused mission to make a difference over time,” she said, adding that Graham devoted his career to making the country—and the world—more secure.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, gave an emotional remembrance, calling Graham a “towering figure” in Congress and abroad. Thune reflected on Graham’s ability to connect with foreign leaders and U.S. service members as part of overseas delegations, saying his influence on national security and foreign policy alone would have secured his place in Senate history.
He also credited Graham with helping move major tax legislation when he chaired the Budget Committee and noted his outspoken support for Ukraine and the pro‑life movement.
Thune paused as he recalled Graham’s humor, saying no one worked harder but few could lighten a room faster. Meals with Graham, he said, were guaranteed to be lively, unpretentious and full of laughter. He closed his tribute with a personal farewell, telling his late colleague to rest in peace and adding that he looks forward to “the days when you make us all laugh again.”
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'He Swashbuckled in Like He Was 6-Foot-5,' Vance Said in Tribute to Graham
Vice President JD Vance offered one of the most colorful remembrances at the Capitol ceremony, recalling Graham as a larger‑than‑life presence who projected confidence far beyond his physical stature.
Vance joked that Graham “swashbuckled in with his jacket open like he was 6‑foot‑5,” drawing laughter from the crowd. He described Graham as someone who genuinely loved people and approached politics through persuasion rather than confrontation. He remembered Graham as a mentor who could clash with colleagues on one issue and champion them on another, saying his ability to reason, respect and ultimately convince others defined his style in the chamber.
Vance also credited Graham with playing a decisive role in the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, recalling Graham’s forceful defense during the contentious 2018 nomination hearings. Vance noted that Graham took pride in supporting Supreme Court picks from presidents of both parties, even when it drew criticism from within his own ranks.
Guests at the National Cathedral
A steady stream of political and diplomatic heavyweights arrived at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday afternoon as mourners gathered for Graham’s service.
Zelensky was among the first notable attendees spotted entering the cathedral, a striking moment given Graham’s long‑standing support for Ukraine and his frequent visits to Kyiv over the years. Zelensky’s presence followed his meeting at the White House earlier in the day.
Shortly afterward, former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr was seen walking into the cathedral, followed by Miriam Adelson, a major Republican donor and influential figure in conservative politics. Former GOP Senator Kelly Loeffler of Georgia and Education Secretary Linda McMahon were also spotted taking their seats as the sanctuary filled.
Inside Washington National Cathedral, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stood together in conversation. The two spoke intently for several minutes, though it is unclear what they spoke about.
Trump's Tic Tac Moment Draws Millions of Views
One of the most widely shared moments from the funeral involved Trump distributing Tic Tacs to people seated nearby during the service. Video posted by the X account Breaking911 showed the president passing the mints to fellow attendees as proceedings took place inside Washington National Cathedral.
Another clip that quickly went viral showed Trump attempting to toss a Tic Tac into his mouth. The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed him trying multiple times before appearing unsuccessful in landing the mint.
The moment was shared by political commentator Acyn and generated millions of views as users reacted to the unexpected scene during the service.
Trump Ad-Libs During Eulogy for Graham
Another moment that generated laughter inside the cathedral came during Trump's eulogy, when he departed from his prepared remarks while discussing Graham's popularity among colleagues.
Reading from the text, Trump said: "Virtually everyone liked Lindsey."
He then paused and added: "Well, not everybody. But it sounds good. He was a tough cookie. I have to be honest. I have to veer from this for a second."
The unscripted comment drew laughs from mourners before Trump returned to his prepared tribute.
Clips of the exchange were widely shared across social media platforms following the service, with one, shared by independent journalist Aaron Rupar, getting seven million views at the time of writing.
Trump Seen Tapping Graham's Casket
Footage from inside Washington National Cathedral also showed Trump briefly placing his hand on and tapping Graham's casket as he paid his respects.
A video of the moment, also shared by Rupar, amassed more than 17 million views on X within hours of being posted.
The gesture prompted a wave of reactions online, with supporters and critics offering differing interpretations of the moment as clips continued circulating across social media.
Social Media Users Debate Whether Trump Fell Asleep
Another viral clip led to online speculation about Trump's attentiveness during the service.
Footage shared on social media appeared to show the president sitting with his head lowered while seated among mourners.
Some users claimed the video showed Trump falling asleep during the funeral, while others disputed that characterization and argued that the brief clip did not provide enough context to determine what was happening.
No independent evidence emerged showing that Trump had fallen asleep.
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Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon, Gray R. Thomas and Dave Siminoff
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