Lindsey Graham Remembered as ‘American Original’

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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Alex Ossola (0:34)

Leaders convene in Washington to remember Senator Lindsey Graham.

Donald Trump (0:37)

For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened in this capital without Lindsey Graham knowing about it.

Alex Ossola (0:45)

Plus, the Trump administration plans to end a Medicare drug plan subsidy, the move that could make health care more expensive for many seniors.

And, the Fed kicks off its July meeting, and it's one of the most unpredictable meetings in years. It's Tuesday, July 28th. I'm Alex Ossola for the Wall Street Journal. This is the PM Edition of What's News, the top headlines and business stories that move the world today.

Today, leaders in Washington and from around the world convene to remember the late Senator Lindsey Graham. He died earlier this month at age 71 from an aortic tear just days after returning from Ukraine as part of his work to push a Russia sanctions bill. In the morning, in a nod to Graham's military service, members of the Air Force carried his casket into the Capitol Rotunda, where there was a solemn ceremony. Former senators as well as current party leaders, including Republican John Thune and Democrat Chuck Schumer, sat in front. And Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman, known for his hoodies, was there in a suit. Vice President JD. Vance reminisced about getting to know Graham during the vice president's 2022 Senate campaign. And he noted that Graham was someone who could persuade people to his point of view.

JD Vance (1:59)

So I choose to remember Lindsey Graham as a man who could disagree with you without being disagreeable.

Alex Ossola (2:05)

Later, Graham's casket was brought to Washington National Cathedral. US officials and foreign leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the funeral service.

Graham was a top advisor on forward affairs to President Trump. Today, Trump remembered Graham's impact and his friendship.

Donald Trump (2:23)

Today we gather in the deepest gratitude and profoundest sorrow to honor a beloved friend, a devoted brother, a respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate, and a true American original who left us much too soon.

Alex Ossola (2:45)

Trump also acknowledged that he and Graham had once been political rivals in the 2016 presidential race. You recall the stunt where he gave out Graham's personal cell phone number on the campaign trail. Trump read the number out again during the service.

Donald Trump (2:57)

And I remember the number 202-228-0292, if anybody wants to give it a shot.

Alex Ossola (3:04)

Trump said it was the beginning of their friendship in a way.

Donald Trump (3:06)

We became great friends and Lindsey did not stop calling me for the next 10 years. It was not easy.

Alex Ossola (3:13)

Graham's body now goes to South Carolina where he will be buried tomorrow.

The Trump administration plans to end a Medicare drug plan subsidy program that helped hold down premiums. The program will end after this year. A Trump administration official said the program incentivized insurers to raise rates, knowing the government would pick up the extra cost. He said the subsidies weren't needed and other policies that hold down costs remain in place. The health policy non-profit KFF says that the average premium for such a plan, known as a Part D plan, is about $36 a month. And the Trump administration official says that while some people wouldn't see much difference in their bill, nearly half could pay $11 to $20 more a month. Roughly 25 million people have plans that rely on that subsidy.

Coming up, a flurry of corporate earnings from the likes of Boeing and Coca-Cola, and why some people are turning to spreadsheets to find the one. Those stories and more after the break.

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This podcast is brought to you by ReliaQuest. Cyber criminals are constantly attacking. They want your data, they want your identity, they want your innovation. ReliaQuest fortifies your business with agentic defense, AI that detects, contains, and eliminates cyber threats in minutes. It helps your security team move faster at the work that matters most to protect the business now and delivers insights to help them predict what's next. ReliaQuest, agentic defense for the enterprise. Learn more at reliaquest.com. That's reliaquest.com.