Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of US President Donald Trump's closest political allies and a leading voice on American foreign policy, has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a "brief and sudden illness."

Get today's headlines by email

A statement released by Graham's office said he died on Saturday evening. His family requested privacy during "this incredibly difficult period."

The South Carolina senator had recently returned from Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. There had been no public indication of any health concerns before the trip.

Leading Republican Voice

Graham was first elected to the US Senate in 2002 and went on to become one of Washington's most influential Republican lawmakers, particularly on national security and foreign policy. He also served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

A long-time advocate for strong US support for Ukraine, Graham had been working on a new version of a Russia sanctions bill during his latest visit to Kyiv. He said the legislation would provide "tools to President Trump to end this war."

President Donald Trump paid tribute to his longtime ally in a social media post, describing Graham as a "true American Patriot."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was "deeply saddened" by the senator's death.

Writing on X, Zelensky said Graham had visited Ukraine 10 times since Russia's full-scale invasion began and had stood "with our people when it was most needed."

"America and the world have lost a determined leader," Zelensky added.

From Critic to Close Ally

Graham's relationship with Trump underwent a dramatic transformation over the past decade.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, he was one of Trump's harshest Republican critics. In a 2015 interview with CNN, Graham described Trump as "a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot." He also warned on social media that nominating Trump would lead Republicans to defeat.

Following the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol, Graham appeared to distance himself from the president.

"Trump and I, we've had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way," he said in a speech on the Senate floor. "All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough."

Despite those remarks, Graham later became one of Trump's strongest supporters. He voted against convicting Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial and backed his successful 2024 presidential campaign.

In a 2023 interview with the BBC, Graham acknowledged what he called Trump's "dark side" but said he continued to support him because of his record on border security, the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and the appointment of conservative judges.

Strong Foreign Policy Advocate

Throughout his Senate career, Graham was known for advocating a robust US role in global security.

He strongly opposed the 2021 withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, calling it "a sad and dangerous event for US national security" and warning that extremist groups would view it as a sign of American weakness.

Graham was also a staunch supporter of Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute on Sunday, saying Graham understood that "the security of Israel and America are inseparable."

"Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable," Netanyahu said, adding that Israel had lost "one of its greatest friends."

Join the discussion?

12 July 2026

View full article

A day after returning from a meeting with Zelensky he suddenly dies, Navalnyized perhaps?