Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent figure in Washington and a key ally of US President Donald Trump, has passed away at the age of 71. His office confirmed that the senator died on Saturday evening following a “brief and sudden illness.” In a statement, his representatives noted that the family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
First elected to the Senate in 2002, the South Carolina politician was widely recognized as one of the most influential voices regarding American foreign policy. His death comes shortly after he returned from a trip to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. There were no reports of any health issues prior to his departure for Ukraine.
President Donald Trump honored the late senator on social media, describing him as a “true American Patriot.” Throughout his career, Graham served as the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was a vocal advocate for US involvement abroad. During his final trip to Ukraine, he was actively working on a Russia sanctions bill, which he argued would provide President Trump with necessary tools to bring the conflict to an end. He previously told the BBC in 2023 that failing to support Ukraine would signal weakness that could negatively impact Taiwan.
Graham’s relationship with Donald Trump was complex. In 2015, he famously criticized Trump as a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” and warned during the 2016 campaign that nominating him would lead to political destruction. Following the 2021 US Capitol riots, Graham declared he was “counting out” of his association with Trump. However, he later became one of the former president’s staunchest supporters, voting against his conviction in the 2021 impeachment trial and backing his 2024 campaign.
Explaining his loyalty in 2023, Graham noted that while he acknowledged a “dark side” to the former president, he remained committed due to Trump’s actions on the southern border, the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, and the appointment of conservative judges. Throughout his tenure, Graham consistently prioritized long-term national security, famously opposing the 2021 withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, which he characterized as a dangerous event that would be celebrated by jihadists.
A staunch supporter of Israel, Graham was described by Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu as one of the country’s “greatest friends.” Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the senator deeply understood the inseparable nature of the security interests shared by Israel and the United States.
