Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died at age 71 on Saturday, July 11, after a brief illness, his office announced. The longtime Republican senator and Trump ally passed away from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the Washington, D.C., medical examiner’s preliminary findings.
Graham had just returned from Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 10 to discuss efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and advance a bipartisan sanctions bill. The senator was scheduled to appear on NBC News’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday to discuss the trip and his legislative priorities.
According to the Washington Post, Trump said he spoke with Graham on Saturday evening and that “could’ve been his last call.” Graham’s sudden death sent shock waves through Congress, prompting tributes from lawmakers across both parties who recalled his three decades of service to South Carolina and his prominent role in foreign policy debates.
Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate from 2003 until his death, having been first elected in 2002. He was a vocal advocate for military intervention overseas and a strong supporter of Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. His office noted that he died at George Washington University Hospital at 10:23 p.m. Saturday.
An aortic dissection is a tear in the aorta, the body’s largest artery. Unlike a heart attack, it is often fatal unless caught immediately and requires emergency medical intervention. The condition is associated with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Sources
- Washington Post — Graham’s death announcement, timing, and Trump’s final call with the senator
- CBS News — Medical examiner’s preliminary findings on aortic dissection and cardiovascular disease
- Fox News — Confirmation of aortic dissection cause of death
- USA Today — Graham’s scheduled television appearance before his death and return from Ukraine
- The Hill — Graham scheduled for “Meet the Press” appearance
- CNN — Graham’s Ukraine visit and meeting with Zelenskyy
- Reuters — Graham’s death and his status as Trump ally
