Former US President Donald Trump is currently under fire from several prominent late-night television hosts following his unconventional tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Senator Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, passed away on Saturday at the age of 71 after what was described as a “brief and sudden illness.” Trump, who was reportedly among the last people to speak with the senator, delivered a eulogy during a Monday phone interview on Fox & Friends that quickly became a target for comedians.
During his appearance, Trump praised Graham for his loyalty, assigning him a “99 instead of 100” with the singular exception of “one bad moment.” This moment, according to Trump, was Graham’s speech in the Senate chamber during the debate over rejecting Arizona’s 2020 electoral votes for Joe Biden. Trump recounted that Graham later called him, expressing disbelief at his own words and retracting them, which led to the near-perfect loyalty score.
This particular aspect of Trump's tribute drew sharp criticism from US late-night personalities. Ike Barinholtz, guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel’s show, mocked the rambling nature of the eulogy, noting that “No Trump eulogy for Lindsey Graham would be complete without a loose five on rigged elections.” Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, quipped about the concept of a “life score,” comparing it to a pizza review. Seth Meyers, on his own show, highlighted Trump's comment about frequently letting Graham's calls go to voicemail, sarcastically calling it a “touching tribute.”
Senator Graham's death has elicited mixed reactions across the political spectrum, largely due to his often-controversial political stances and his shifting relationship with Donald Trump. He was known for his support of the war in Iran and his evolving loyalty to the former President. While some have mourned his passing, others have voiced critical assessments of his legacy.
The co-hosts of The View, another US talk show, spent a significant portion of their Monday broadcast criticising individuals who had expressed celebratory sentiments regarding Graham’s death. Ana Navarro, a panellist, emphasised the human impact of such comments, stating that while the deceased cannot hear them, the senator’s family, including his sister, are alive and are affected by these posts.