President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the FBI is wasting its time pursuing conspiracy theories regarding the death of late Senator Lindsey Graham [1, 2].
The president's comments come as federal investigators face public pressure to address speculation surrounding the senator's death. By dismissing the probe, Trump is signaling a lack of executive support for the investigation and suggesting that the agency is focusing on distractions rather than substantive matters [1, 2].
Trump spoke on the matter on July 14, 2026. While CNN reported the remarks were made during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., a Mirror Now report indicated the comments occurred in the Oval Office following a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi [1, 2].
"The FBI is wasting their time if they're pursuing conspiracy theories about Senator Graham's death," Trump said [1].
During the exchange, the president suggested the senator's death was not the result of foul play. He noted that the cause of death was similar to that of the senator's father, who died at a similar age [2].
"This is something that is very—almost undetectable his father died of the same thing at about the same age," Trump said. "I don't see a lot of evil there. I know there's all sorts of conspiracy theories going [around]" [2].
The president's dismissal of the theories characterizes the FBI's current line of inquiry as a pursuit of unfounded speculation [1, 2].
“"The FBI is wasting their time if they're pursuing conspiracy theories about Senator Graham's death."”
The president's public criticism of the FBI's investigation into Senator Graham's death may create friction between the executive branch and federal law enforcement. By attributing the death to hereditary health factors and labeling the investigation as a waste of time, Trump is attempting to shut down public speculation and pivot the agency's focus away from the case.
