On Saturday, Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died suddenly at his home in Washington, D.C. What followed from President Donald Trump highlighted both men's ability to move on from personal spats and create solid and genuinely amiable alliances. 

"We'd play golf with each other or some other members, or we'd play with President Trump, and you know he was fun to be around. Very quick-witted, but loved politics. He'll be missed in a lot of ways. President Trump will miss him," Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told Just The News.

"I think Lindsey and the president kind of used each other when it came to politics, because Lindsey's one of the few up here that I've seen that was able to go into the back rooms and work with the Democrats."

As soon as the news was published, Trump posted his condolences on Truth Social: "Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!"

Trump followed up that post by ordering the nation's flags to be lowered to half-mast for a full week, and further described the late senator's "remarkable life and achievements" and Graham as "a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina."

Trump and Graham: from enmity to unity 

During the 2015-2016 Republican presidential primaries, Trump and Graham were bitter rivals and vocal enemies. Graham, then a candidate himself, sharply criticized Trump as a “race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot” and warned that nominating him would destroy the GOP. “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed [...] and we will deserve it," he said. 

Trump retaliated fiercely, calling Graham a “lightweight,” “idiot,” “disgrace,” and “one of the dumbest human beings I’ve ever seen” at rallies in South Carolina. He even publicly read out Graham’s personal phone number (shared years earlier) at a 2015 event, prompting Graham to respond with a humorous ad destroying phones. 

Graham dropped out early and initially opposed Trump, but their relationship evolved dramatically after Trump’s 2016 victory. Graham became a key Senate ally during Trump’s first term, collaborating on issues like Supreme Court nominations and foreign policy. 

There was a notable rift after January 6, 2021, when Graham distanced himself from the riot at the Capitol, saying "count me out,” but by Trump’s second term, they had reconciled fully as golfing buddies and close political partners. 

Graham emerged as one of Trump’s most vocal Senate supporters, championing legislation like the SAVE America Act and describing Trump as "not far from God” after the assassination attempt against the president. 

Upon Graham’s sudden death, Trump referred to him as “like a member of the family,” marking a remarkable transformation from fierce primary foes to steadfast friends and allies. 

Trump would later go on to establish a pattern of mocking or insulting his opponents, only to be surpassed by lavish praise.

Trump and Rubio were "con artist" and "little Marco"

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump clashed intensely as rivals during the 2016 GOP presidential primaries, exchanging sharp personal barbs that defined one of the cycle’s most colorful feuds. 

Trump branded the Florida senator “Little Marco,” while Rubio fired back by labeling Trump a “con artist” running “the biggest scam in American political history,” questioning his fitness for the nuclear codes, and delivering a memorable jab about Trump’s “small hands” and what that supposedly implied. 

After Trump crushed Rubio in the Florida primary — effectively ending Rubio's White House bid — Rubio eventually endorsed the nominee and won reelection to the Senate. 

Over the following years, their once-hostile dynamic softened into cooperation during Trump’s first term, then deepened further. By the 2024 campaign and second Trump administration, Rubio had become a close confidant, earning nomination and confirmation as Secretary of State, where he has taken on high-profile foreign policy roles, including extensive influence over Venezuela policy. 

The transformation turned early adversaries into key political partners, proving once again that Trump could put their personal spats aside to rally for the good of the country and Republican priorities. 

"Lyin' Ted" Cruz becomes "Beautiful Ted"

Senator Ted Cruz, R-Tex., and Trump engaged in one of the 2016 primaries’ most bitter and personal confrontations, marked by relentless nicknames and attacks. 

Trump dubbed Cruz “Lyin’ Ted,” spread controversial claims about his father, and portrayed him as untrustworthy, while Cruz pushed back aggressively against Trump’s character and fitness. 

After Trump secured the nomination, Cruz initially withheld his endorsement at the convention but eventually backed him before the general election, citing opposition to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who became the Democrat nominee.

The rivalry between Cruz and Trump gave way to a pragmatic alliance in the years that followed. Cruz became a reliable Senate supporter during Trump’s first term on judicial appointments and conservative priorities, and Trump began praising him publicly, shifting from “Lyin’ Ted” to “Beautiful Ted” and “Texas Ted” by 2018. 

By the 2024 cycle, Cruz was an early and vocal endorser of Trump’s return, and the two have maintained a strong working relationship, with Cruz serving as a key ally in the Senate during Trump’s second term.

Mud-slinging in court and salacious books

The mended pasts aren't exclusive to elected officials. Michael Cohen served as Donald Trump’s longtime personal attorney and fiercely loyal lieutenant for over a decade, handling sensitive matters and publicly vowing to “take a bullet” for him. 

Their bond frayed after the 2016 election and collapsed dramatically in 2018 when federal raids targeted Cohen. He pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and lying to Congress, later becoming a star witness against Trump in congressional hearings and criminal cases, where he portrayed his former boss as dishonest and involved in wrongdoing. 

The feud turned intensely personal, with Trump denouncing Cohen as a liar and Cohen releasing books and frequent public criticisms. 

Yet in a surprising twist, the two reconciled roughly six months before mid-2026: Cohen revealed that a text from a mutual friend conveying Trump’s empathy led to direct communication, a private meeting at Trump's Bedminster, New Jersey property, and the “ice” between them breaking, ending their long war. 

Amanda Head is White House Correspondent for Just The News. You can follow her here.