Lindsey Graham's longtime aide, Kevin Bishop, has given a rare account of the South Carolina senator's unusual friendship with Donald Trump, describing how Graham won the president over despite once being one of his fiercest critics during the 2016 campaign. The relationship matters because Graham has become one of Trump's most influential Republican allies in the Senate, shaping his access and sway over foreign policy and judicial matters, and the aide's insight offers a rare window into how the two men actually operate behind closed doors.

Bishop, who has worked for Graham for 27 years, recalled moments including a time Graham was "madder than a hornet" at Trump and described golf as central to the pair's bond, calling it something like the senator's "love language" for building trust with the president. The aide also touched on the day-to-day rhythm of their communication, including a final call that reportedly never came, though the article does not specify further detail on that episode's context or timing.