Lindsey Graham, key ally of Donald Trump, has died after sudden illness, his office says | US politics
Lindsey Graham, a longtime US senator and key ally of Donald Trump, died of a sudden illness, his office said in a statement early Sunday. He had just turned 71.
Graham’s sudden death will send shock waves through Washington and the Republican Party. He had served in the Senate representing South Carolina since 2003 and was running for re-election in November.
In the statement made by his office, it was said: “On Saturday evening, July 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham passed away due to a short and sudden illness.” “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
There were no known concerns about the health of Graham, who visited Ukraine last week. On Friday, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said wrote on social media He said they had a “good meeting” and added: “I’m grateful to Lindsey for getting to know our warriors.”
Graham, a retired air force reserve colonel who specialized as a military lawyer, was known as a hawk who supported the Iraq war and had long called for military action against Iran. He opposed the nuclear deal negotiated by President Barack Obama and has been one of Trump’s most outspoken defenders in the current conflict.
He ran for president in 2016 and harshly criticized Trump at the time. Graham denounced Trump as “immoral,” a “racist bigot” and “the most flawed candidate in the history of the Republican party,” and issued a memorable warning on Twitter: “If we nominate Trump, we will be screwed… and we will deserve it.” Trump also called Graham “stupid” and a “lightweight.”
But once Trump became unchallenged, Graham became a valuable ally who could act as an interlocutor between the president and Congress. In 2018, he rallied the defense of Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s embattled nominee for the Supreme Court.
Graham wavered only after Trump’s supporters staged an insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn Trump’s election defeat. The senator said: “Trump and I have had such a rough ride – I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my perspective, he was an important president, but that’s the first thing you’ll see today. All I can say is don’t count on me. That’s enough.”
But her rebellion did not last long, and she refused to vote to convict Trump at the subsequent impeachment trial. He was quick to support Trump again in the 2024 presidential election and often played golf with him.
Graham’s death marks the passing of the last of the “three friends” of Graham, Joe Lieberman and John McCain, senators and close friends who each made unsuccessful attempts at the presidency. McCain died in 2018 and Lieberman died in 2024.
Among those paying tribute Sunday was South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who said in a statement: “Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. A fierce warrior for South Carolina and America, and a loyal and steadfast friend.”
Many leaders in Israel expressed their condolences. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir Published on X: “Today, Israel lost one of its greatest friends. Senator Lindsey Graham stood with Israel not because it was easy, but because he believed it was right. His unwavering support, courage and moral clarity have earned him the admiration of millions of Israelis.”
Naftali Bennett, a former prime minister, added: “America has lost a devoted patriot and Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. Lindsey courageously stood by Israel in our darkest hours.”
