U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of President Donald Trump and a prominent voice on foreign policy, died on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness, his office announced. Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, served in the Senate since 2003 and was known for his hawkish stance on Iran and strong support for Israel.
Death Announcement and Tributes
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” his office said in a statement on his official X account. The statement added that “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Trump paid tribute on Sunday, calling Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known” in a post on Truth Social. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!” Trump wrote.
Political Career and Controversies
Graham first won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and was elected to the Senate in 2002. He was re-elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020, and most recently served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. He made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2016, during which he criticized Trump as a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.”
Their relationship was strained by the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, with Graham saying Republican colleagues should “count me out, enough is enough.” However, he later voted against convicting Trump in his impeachment trial. After Trump returned to office, Graham reconciled and supported his re-election bid.
Foreign Policy Legacy
Graham was a strong supporter of Israel and a hawkish backer of the Iran war. He also urged both the Trump and Biden administrations to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine. Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable. He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed being “shocked and heartbroken,” calling Graham “a beacon of moral clarity and a true leader of the U.S.-Israel partnership.” Herzog added, “We will never forget how he stood by the people of Israel in our most difficult moments, and we will remain eternally grateful for his sense of justice, truth, and loyalty.”
Reaction from South Carolina
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster described Graham as “irreplaceable,” highlighting his long service to the state and nation.
