U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican from South Carolina and a close ally of President Donald Trump, died last night at age 71 after a brief and sudden illness, his office said early Sunday.
Graham, first elected to the House in 1994 and to the Senate in 2002, had served South Carolina for more than two decades in Congress. He had been running for a fifth term in the Senate this year.
The senator had been on a high-profile visit to Ukraine on Friday, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss military support and foreign policy matters. He was scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning.
President Trump paid tribute to the late senator in a statement, saying Graham was “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known” and “always working” as “a true American Patriot.” “Lindsey will be greatly missed,” Trump said.
Graham was known as a foreign policy hawk who advocated for a muscular U.S. military presence abroad, particularly regarding Iran and Middle East policy. Though initially a critic of Trump and the Tea Party movement, Graham became one of the president’s strongest defenders in the Republican Party.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog both issued statements mourning Graham’s death, with Netanyahu calling him “one of Israel’s greatest friends” and “a beloved friend.” The senator had been a vocal supporter of Israel throughout his career in Congress.
Sources
- CBS News — Graham’s death announcement, Trump’s tribute, Netanyahu’s statement, Ukraine visit details, and scheduled Meet the Press appearance
- The Washington Post — Graham’s election history (House 1994, Senate 2002), his 2026 reelection campaign, and his death statement
- NBC News — Confirmation of Graham’s death at 71 after brief sudden illness
- U.S. News & World Report — Israeli officials’ condolences and statements from Herzog, Katz, and Saar
- Sky News — Graham’s visit to Kyiv on Friday before his death
