Fetterman mourns loss of Lindsey Graham after senator’s sudden death

Following the death of Lindsey Graham, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, joined numerous politicians on both sides of the aisle in fondly remembering the U.S. senator from South Carolina.

In the early morning hours of July 12, 2026, Graham’s office announced in a statement that he had died of an illness the previous evening. tear in main artery It is caused by hardened arteries. He was 71 years old.

Graham was a staunch ally of the President Donald Trump and became one of Washington’s most influential Republicans, championing foreign American military power and playing a key role in conservatives’ reshaping of the federal judiciary.

This is what Fetterman said following his death.

Senator John Fetterman releases statement regarding Lindsey Graham’s death

Fetterman went to X just after 7:45 a.m. on July 12 to make a statement regarding Graham’s death.

“Sudden and bad news about Senator Lindsey Graham,” Fetterman said. “The United States Senate has lost a foreign policy giant. On a personal level, he was always kind, courteous and thoughtful. Gisele and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and staff.”

Trump, Biden and global politicians react to Lindsey Graham’s death

Immediately after Graham’s death was announced, leaders from around the world expressed their shock at the news and remembered Graham fondly.

Trump told Reuters he spoke to Graham minutes ago because he was sick. He ordered flags lowered in Graham’s honor.

“(There are) these rumors of foul play,” Trump said. “But no, I believe he had a very short-term illness. He was a friend of mine, a very good friend, and it’s devastating to lose him.”

Former President Joe Biden He said in a statement that he and former First Lady Jill Biden were “shocked by the sudden death.”

“Lindsey and I served in Congress together for more than a decade and have worked closely on many issues over the years,” Biden said. “We traveled the world together as members of the Senate Foreign Affairs committee. We disagreed often, sometimes vociferously.”

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu In his statement, he said that Israel “lost one of its greatest friends.”

“America has lost a great patriot,” Netanyahu said. “I lost a friend I loved.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, called Graham “a good friend and a great American” in a statement shared by his office.

“I am shocked and saddened by his passing,” McConnell said the same day, sharing an update on his health after weeks of public discourse surrounding his hospitalization. “His constituents and colleagues relied on his forthright speech, his faith, and his boundless appetite for a worthy fight. The Senate will miss him, and Elaine and I are keeping his family in our prayers.”

What was the cause of Lindsey Graham’s death?

Graham died of aortic dissectionAccording to the preliminary medical examination report.

Aortic dissection occurs when the inner lining of the body’s main artery tears and blood leaks out. Mayo Clinic. This condition can cause complications such as stroke, organ damage and poor blood flow, and 40 percent of people with sudden onset of aortic dissection “die instantly from complete rupture and aortic bleeding.” Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms can appear quickly and without warning.

Graham’s office said his death was the result of a “brief and sudden illness.” Emergency personnel said they performed CPR on a man who was having a heart attack at Graham’s Washington home on the evening of July 11, according to public safety radio broadcasts reviewed by USA TODAY.

Kim Hjelmgaard, Christopher Cann, Sarah Moniuszko, Janet Loehrke, James Powel, Xachary Schermele, Jay Stahl, Joey Garrison and Thao Nguyen contributed to this article.

Finch Walker is the USA TODAY Network’s Pittsburgh Connect Reporter. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. On Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Fetterman mourns loss of Lindsey Graham after senator’s sudden death