Trump, Netanyahu and Zelenskiy attend Lindsey Graham funeral
World leaders and U.S. officials converged in Washington to honor late Senator Lindsey Graham at memorial services highlighting his foreign policy legacy.
In a rare convergence of U.S. And foreign leaders, President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gathered at the Washington National Cathedral on July 28 to mourn Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The day’s program unfolded in two stages. First, a solemn arrival ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, where an Armed Forces detail escorted Graham’s flag‑draped casket into the historic chamber. The ceremony, closed to the public but streamed live, was announced by Senate Majority Leader John Thune in a statement obtained by the Yahoo! UK report. After a brief program, the casket was moved to the National Cathedral for an invitation‑only service at 2 p.m., also webcast live.
Media additions
Trump’s eulogy, delivered in the cathedral, blended personal reminiscence with a reaffirmation of Graham’s foreign‑policy legacy. He said, “
” and added, “He died doing the work he was born to do, he was truly a great politician, serving the country he loved to serve so deeply.
” (Donald Trump, President, via The Irish Times).It was Lindsey who had the last laugh because while I blew up his phone all for one day, we became great friends and Lindsey did not stop calling me for the next 10 years. It was not easy.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking earlier in the Rotunda, highlighted Graham’s ability to bridge partisan divides: “
” (JD Vance, Vice President, via USA TODAY). He also recalled Graham’s role in the 2018 confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, saying the senator “saved that nomination” (same source).Because he loved people, he saw that the Senate, at its very best, could be a deliberative body geared towards persuading people.
John Thune, the Senate’s top Republican, praised Graham’s dual talent for seriousness and humor: “
” (John Thune, Senate Majority Leader, via USA TODAY).There was no one, no one, who took his job more seriously than Lindsey Graham, but also, no one was more capable of cracking up a room during the work week here in Washington.
Both Netanyahu and Zelenskiy arrived after the Capitol proceedings to attend the cathedral service. Their presence reflected Graham’s long‑standing lobbying for U.S. Aid to both nations. The Israeli premier had posted on X the day before, pledging to “pay last respects to a true friend of mine and of the State of Israel” (Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister, via Yahoo! UK).
Graham’s death on July 11, at age 71, was attributed to a brief and sudden illness later identified as an aortic dissection (Graham’s office, via Yahoo! UK). He had just returned from Kyiv, where he met Zelenskiy for the tenth time since Russia’s 2022 invasion—proof of his reputation as a “fierce defender of Ukraine” (John Thune, via The Irish Times).
Beyond personal tributes, the funeral coincided with a Senate vote on a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia. Both the USA TODAY and the Aol reports noted that Graham had spent his final days lobbying for the bill, suggesting his influence may still shape the outcome.
In South Carolina, the mourning continued on July 29. A procession started at the state house, featured an F‑16 flyover at 11 a.m., and concluded at the First Baptist Church of Columbia, where the public could pay respects on a first‑come‑first‑served basis (Graham’s office, via Yahoo! UK). The family will later hold a private burial in Pickens County, the hometown of both Graham and his sister‑successor Darline (The Irish Times).
Key attendees
- President Donald Trump
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy
- Vice President JD Vance
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune
- Darline Graham – sister and interim senator
Timeline of events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 11 | Sen. Lindsey Graham dies of aortic dissection after returning from Kyiv. |
| July 28 | Capitol Rotunda ceremony; casket moves to Washington National Cathedral; Trump, Netanyahu and Zelenskiy attend afternoon service. |
| July 29 | South Carolina public funeral, procession with F‑16 flyover, and private burial in Pickens County. |
