Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina known for his hawkish foreign policy and close ties to President Donald Trump, died Saturday evening at the age of 71 after a brief and sudden illness, his office announced. The senator, who had served in the Senate since 2003, passed away on July 11, according to a statement released by his staff. The statement did not specify the nature of the illness but requested privacy for his family during what it described as an incredibly difficult period.
President Donald Trump reacted swiftly to the news, posting on Truth Social that Graham was one of the greatest people and senators he had ever known. Trump called Graham a true American Patriot and said he would be greatly missed. The president also noted that details and arrangements would follow. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster expressed devastation at the loss, calling Graham irreplaceable and praising him as a fierce fighter for the state and the nation.
Graham was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and won reelection three times. He was seeking a fifth term after winning the Republican primary last month. During his tenure, he served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and held seats on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works committees. Before joining the Senate, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives, having been elected in 1994 as the first Republican to represent South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District since 1877.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Graham as a steadfast advocate for the United States and its allies, adding that his influence on the federal judiciary, national defense, and his home state would be felt for generations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned Graham as one of Israel's greatest friends, emphasizing that the senator understood the inseparable security of Israel and America. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Graham a beacon of moral clarity and a true leader of the U.S.-Israel partnership, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz remembered him as an unwavering voice for Israel's security.
Graham had just met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday, a day before his death, underscoring his active role in international affairs. He was scheduled to appear on NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday morning. Graham also served 33 years in the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve, retiring as a colonel in 2015. An Air Force lawyer, he served in Germany during the Cold War, was called to active duty during the Gulf War, and completed multiple Reserve deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan during congressional recesses.
Graham's death marks the end of a long political career defined by his work on national security, judiciary appointments, and strong alliances with foreign leaders. His office confirmed the news in a statement to Fox News Digital, noting that his family appreciates prayers and asks for privacy. The loss has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and world leaders, reflecting his broad impact on American politics and international relations.
