Sen. Scott on Lindsey Graham's role in "building bridges," including with Trump
Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina remembered Sen. Lindsey Graham as a "powerful leader" following his sudden death, while emphasizing Graham's role in "building bridges."
Updated on: July 12, 2026 / 10:55 AM EDT / CBS News
"I don't know anyone who can fill the shoes of Lindsey Graham," Scott said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
Graham, 71, was a Trump skeptic at the beginning of the president's political career, but he later became a close ally to the president and often shepherded the relationship between the White House and congressional Republicans. Scott emphasized "the important role that he played in building bridges in life, just as a part of who he was." And Scott said "we're going to have an important conversation to come" as Senate Republicans look to fill that void going forward.
"Lindsey Graham being on the phone with the president every single day was helpful, without any question," Scott said. "The truth of the matter is, it was the bond that he forged on the golf course that made him such a powerful advocate for the president and a powerful advocate for us with the president, and so we'll need that."
Scott added, "More importantly, what we'll need is a champion who steps up to the plate not for politics but for serving our country. That is who Lindsey was."