Senator Lindsey Graham dies after “brief and sudden illness”
Senator Lindsey Graham He died on Saturday evening after a “short and sudden illness”.
“On Saturday evening, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away due to a brief and sudden illness,” his office said in a statement. The statement was included. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
Further details about Graham’s death are not yet available, but a recording of an emergency phone call made Saturday evening to a residence belonging to the senator mentions a report of a heart attack.
President Trump paid tribute to the deceased senator, calling him “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” Real Social post.
“He was always working and a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed,” Mr. Trump said.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham speaks to the press with President Trump surrounded by members of Congress on February 3, 2026. / Credit: SAUL LOEB /AFP via Getty Images
The prominent senator visited Ukraine on Friday and met with President Zelensky, according to the broadcaster, and is scheduled to appear on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Graham. “Sara and I mourn with the American people the loss of our dear friend,” the prime minister said in a statement.
Netanyahu said, “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have also lost a dear friend.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a speech: social media post he was “shocked and heartbroken to learn that the great American patriot, great friend of Israel, and dear friend had suddenly passed away.”
Graham was born on July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina. He went to the University of South Carolina for undergrad and stayed there for his law degree. After a stint in the military and several years in private law practice, he served one term in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Two years later, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing South Carolina’s Third District.
In 2002, he ran for the Senate seat once occupied by Strom Thurmond and was re-elected twice by strong margins in 2008 and 2014. Even in 2014, when outside conservative groups threatened him with a primary challenge for his role in the 2013 immigration debate, no serious challenger emerged on the Republican stage.
He ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 but withdrew before the primaries.
Graham has always been an outspoken hawk on foreign policy issues, including Iran, and he strongly opposed the initial lines of the memorandum of understanding President Trump signed with the country earlier this month.
Initially critical of Mr. Trump and the rising conservative Tea Party movement, Graham later became a close ally and defender of the president.
“Let’s try a diplomatic solution. I think it will fail. What happens next?” he said Just three weeks ago, just three weeks ago, on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” a few days after he spent four and a half hours with the president. “To anyone listening, if this diplomatic effort fails, President Trump will seize the Strait of Hormuz. We will govern it.”
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.
