Trump reflects on infamous phone-number stunt that sparked friendship with Graham

By Fox News · Fox News

In an emotional farewell Tuesday, President Donald Trump paid tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., recounting how their relationship evolved from fierce political foes into close allies and friends. Trump said the turning point came after he publicly revealed Graham's cell phone number during a live television appearance in 2016 — a decision he acknowledged Tuesday was a mistake. "As you remember, Lindsey and I did not exactly get off to the best of starts," Trump said during his eulogy address at the Washington National Cathedral, adding that Graham had said something "nasty" when they were both running for president in 2016. "So naturally, I did something that I shouldn't have done," the president continued. "I shared his personal cell phone number with the millions of people that happened to be watching that particular day as I made a speech, a very important speech." FROM 'DISGRACE' TO 'FAMILY': TRUMP'S REMARKABLE JOURNEY WITH LINDSEY GRAHAM "And I remember the number (202) 228-0292 if anybody wants to give it a shot," Trump went on, sparking laughter in the room. "His phone exploded. He said, ‘I had that number for 20 years.’ His phone totally — I don't know what he did with it. But it exploded," Trump said. "That was the beginning of a friendship, in a way." "But 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," Trump continued. The unlikely friendship grew to include frequent rounds of golf and late-night phone calls as Graham became a leading advocate for Trump’s legislative agenda. Since Graham's death earlier this month, Trump has repeatedly spoken about the senator's constant presence in his life. LINDSEY GRAHAM'S FINAL MISSION NEARS FINISH LINE AS WORLD LEADERS GATHER TO HONOR HIM And before the service began, before the cameras began rolling, before the speeches, and before Graham’s casket arrived, the Washington Natio…