US Senator and Trump ally Lindsey Graham dies at 71

US Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday, July 11, at age 71. His office said in a statement on X that Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. The South Carolina Republican had just returned from a trip to Kyiv.

How did Lindsey Graham die?

Graham's office has not disclosed a specific medical cause, describing it only as a brief and sudden illness. "Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period," the statement said. He had appeared in public as recently as Friday, when he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, and had been scheduled to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday.

What was Lindsey Graham's career in the Senate?

Graham was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994, representing South Carolina's third congressional district. He won a Senate seat in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008, 2014 and 2020. Over more than two decades in the chamber, he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and, most recently, the Senate Budget Committee.

How have political leaders reacted to Graham's death?

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster called Graham "irreplaceable" in a post on X. He described him as "the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America, and a loyal and steadfast friend." Tributes have also focused on Graham's decades-long role as one of the Senate's most prominent voices on defense and foreign policy.

Why was Lindsey Graham significant to Israel?

Graham was a strong supporter of Israel and a hawkish backer of action against Iran throughout his Senate career. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the news left him "shocked and heartbroken," calling Graham "a beacon of moral clarity and a true leader of the U.S.-Israel partnership." Herzog added that Israel would remain "eternally grateful for his sense of justice, truth, and loyalty."