A powerful senator’s sudden death has shaken Washington to its core. Sen. Lindsey Graham passed away at 71 after a brief illness, prompting tributes from world leaders and raising questions about his Senate seat.
Lindsey Graham reportedly dies of sudden illness
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) died Saturday night at age 71, NBC News reports. His office confirmed the death resulted “from a brief and sudden illness.” Emergency personnel responded to a cardiac arrest call at Graham’s Capitol Hill home that evening.
Graham’s office later revealed the preliminary cause of death. It was “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” meaning a rupture of his aorta. A top staffer said there was no indication the lawmaker felt unwell beforehand.
President Donald Trump paid tribute on Truth Social, calling Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” Trump also described him as a “true American Patriot.” He told Meet the Press he spoke with Graham hours before the death, adding, “other than being tired, he was fine.”
At the White House, flags were lowered to half-staff following the announcement. Trump later ordered all American flags to fly at half-staff until Saturday at 6 p.m. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called Graham a “strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe.”
Graham had just returned from a trip to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Zelenskyy called him “a true defender of freedom and of the values that make our world safer.” He also noted Graham had visited Ukraine 10 times during the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Meet the Press that “America has lost a great patriot.” He added, “Israel has lost one of the great champions of the American-Israeli alliance.” Graham was chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was seeking a fifth Senate term in November. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will now appoint someone to fill his seat until January.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
