Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most influential voices in U.S. foreign policy and a close ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”
Graham died on Saturday evening, only a day after returning from a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. His office did not immediately disclose the cause of death, although multiple U.S. media outlets reported that emergency responders were called to his Washington, D.C., home after receiving reports of a cardiac arrest.
Trump led tributes to the South Carolina Republican, describing him as a “true American Patriot” who would be “greatly missed.”
Speaking to NBC News, the president said he had spoken with Graham just hours before his death.
“He sounded great, but a little tired,” Trump said, adding that Graham “was a tough cookie in many ways” and “a good person.”
Graham, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives, built a reputation as one of Washington’s most prominent foreign policy hawks. Throughout his career, he consistently advocated for strong U.S. military engagement abroad, supported the Iraq War following the September 11, 2001 attacks, opposed the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in 2021, and was a vocal supporter of military and financial assistance to Ukraine.
Only last month, Graham warned in a televised interview that the United States would “obliterate” Iran if it attempted to control the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring his longstanding hard-line approach to national security.
His death came as a surprise to many in Washington. Graham had appeared to be in good health before traveling to Ukraine and had been scheduled to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday morning.
Graham’s political career was also marked by his evolving relationship with Trump.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Graham was among Trump’s fiercest critics, famously describing him as a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.” He also warned Republicans that nominating Trump would lead to electoral defeat.
Following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Graham publicly distanced himself from Trump, telling the Senate: “Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way. All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.”
However, the two gradually reconciled. Graham voted against convicting Trump during his second impeachment trial, became one of his closest allies in the Senate, and strongly backed his successful 2024 presidential campaign. In a 2023 interview with the BBC, Graham acknowledged Trump’s flaws but defended his presidency, citing his record on border security, judicial appointments, and the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.
International leaders also paid tribute.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Graham as one of Israel’s greatest friends, saying he understood that “the security of Israel and America are inseparable.” Ukrainian President Zelensky also praised Graham’s steadfast support for Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
Born in Central, South Carolina, Graham endured personal tragedy at a young age, losing both parents while attending university. He assumed responsibility for raising his younger sister, whom he later legally adopted.
After earning a law degree from the University of South Carolina, Graham joined the U.S. Air Force as a military lawyer before entering politics. He later served in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, eventually retiring with the rank of colonel.
Graham never married and had no children. He was seeking a fifth Senate term after winning the Republican primary earlier this year.
His death leaves a vacancy in the U.S. Senate at a politically significant moment. Under South Carolina law, Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the end of Graham’s current term, with voters expected to elect a successor during the November midterm elections. Before Graham’s death, Republicans held a 53-47 majority in the Senate, making the upcoming election even more consequential in the battle for control of the chamber.
