Trump praises Graham as ‘one of the greatest people I have ever known’
Lindsey Graham’s death is a personal blow to Donald Trump, for whom he was a political cheerleader and frequent golf partner. The president praised Graham, one of his closest allies, on Truth Social and said details on funeral arrangements would follow.
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!
Key events
‘True defender of freedom’: Zelenskyy pays tribute to Graham’s support of Ukraine
Lindsey Graham made a name for himself with his work on foreign policy and was a leading voice in Washington advocating for the US to support Ukraine, urging both the Trump and Biden administrations to back Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
Just last week, he had visited Ukraine. Following their last meeting on Friday – which would also turn out to be Graham’s final public appearance – Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media: “I’m grateful to Lindsey for recognizing our warriors.” Graham died the next day.
Paying tribute today, Zelenskyy said he was “deeply saddened” by Graham’s death and that the world had lost “a determined leader” and a “true defender of freedom”. He wrote on X:
Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.
He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed. We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week.
A staunch advocate for bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine, in recent weeks, he had been working on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including stronger sanctions against Russia. We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders.
America and the world have lost a determined leader.
Our condolences go out to Lindsey’s family, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.
The statement issued by Lindsey Graham’s office said only that the senator had “passed away from a brief and sudden illness”. It gave no further details.
Citing police scanner audio, the Washington Post (paywall) reports that emergency medical services had received a call at about 8.30pm on Saturday for a person suffering chest pains at Graham’s home on Capitol Hill. About 25 minutes later, according to the Post, emergency personnel said CPR was in progress and a man was suffering cardiac arrest.
Graham’s evolution from Trump critic to fierce ally
David Smith
Lindsey Graham grew up in Central, a small town in South Carolina, where his parents ran a restaurant and pool hall. He was the first member of his family to go to college, earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina.
He served as an air force lawyer then joined the South Carolina Air National Guard. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 and was a manager during Bill Clinton’s 1999 impeachment trial.
Elected to the Senate in 2002, Graham carved out a reputation as one of Capitol Hill’s most outspoken foreign policy hawks. He supported the US war in Iraq and had long urged military action in Iran. He opposed the nuclear agreement negotiated by Barack Obama and had been one of Trump’s staunchest defenders in the current conflict.
He briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and was initially a sharp critic of Trump, then the insurgent frontrunner. He condemned Trump as a “jackass”, “a race-baiting bigot” and “the most flawed nominee in the history of the Republican party”, memorably warning on Twitter:
If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed … and we will deserve it.
Trump, in turn, dismissed Graham as an “idiot” and a “lightweight”.
But the relationship was transformed after Trump entered the White House and Graham became one of the president’s closest confidants. He emerged as a key adviser on foreign policy, particularly Iran and Russia. He also rallied the defence of Trump’s embattled nominee for the supreme court, Brett Kavanaugh, in 2018.
Graham wobbled only after Trump’s supporters staged an insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in an effort to overturn his election defeat. The senator declared:
Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey – I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my point of view, he’s been a consequential president but today, first thing you’ll see. All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.
His rebellion did not last, however, and he refused to vote to convict Trump at the subsequent impeachment trial. He was again quick to endorse Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Graham’s death marks the passing of the last of the “three amigos”, comprising Graham, Joe Lieberman and John McCain, senators and close friends who each made unsuccessful bids for the presidency. McCain died in 2018, Lieberman in 2024.
Trump praises Graham as ‘one of the greatest people I have ever known’
Lindsey Graham’s death is a personal blow to Donald Trump, for whom he was a political cheerleader and frequent golf partner. The president praised Graham, one of his closest allies, on Truth Social and said details on funeral arrangements would follow.
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!
Senator Lindsey Graham has died after sudden illness, his office says
David Smith
Lindsey Graham, a longtime US senator and key ally of Donald Trump, has died from a sudden illness, his office said on Sunday. He had just turned 71.
Graham’s abrupt death will send shock waves through Washington and the Republican party. He had served in the Senate since 2003, representing South Carolina, and was running for re-election in November.
“On the evening of Saturday 11 July, US senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” his office said in a statement. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.
