NPR News: 07-12-2026 10PM EDT

Jeanine Herbst· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. President Trump remembered Senator Lindsey Graham as a great politician and skilled dealmaker in an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press this morning. The South Carolina Republican died last night at the age of seventy-one from an aortic dissection, according to the Washington, DC, medical examiner. NPR's Eric McDaniel has more.

Eric McDaniel0:23

Trump said he spoke to Graham by phone Saturday night after the senator returned from a trip abroad. He remembered the South Carolinian as a loyal ally who fiercely advocated for the president's agenda despite an acrimonious twenty sixteen Republican primary fight. Here's Trump speaking to NBC's Kristen Welker this morning.

Donald Trump· Soundbite0:38

This man was a great politician. He really got it.

Eric McDaniel0:41

Graham's temporary replacement will be appointed by South Carolina's Republican governor and serve for the rest of the year. A new Republican nominee will be elected in August and will compete for a six-year term in November's general election against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the ruby-red state. Eric McDaniel, NPR News.

Jeanine Herbst· Host0:58

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell released a statement on his health today saying he won't be returning to the Senate yet on the advice of his doctors after he was hospitalized for falling and sustaining minor injuries. He says he later developed pneumonia and is now out of the hospital. McConnell didn't say when he would return to the Senate. His condition has been the subject of much concern after there was no statement from his office since he was hospitalized last month. He included a photo of him and his wife, Elaine Chao, in the statement. Kentucky Governor