Republican Lindsey Graham dies at 71: World leaders, US politicians react

United States Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Republican who evolved from a vocal critic of Donald Trump to one of his most loyal allies on Capitol Hill after Trump became president, has died at the age of 71.

The South Carolina lawmaker died after a "brief and sudden illness", his office posted on X early on Sunday. US media reported that emergency personnel had responded to a cardiac arrest call at his Washington, DC home on Saturday night.

Graham, just back from a trip to Ukraine, had been scheduled to appear on the Meet the Press TV programme on Sunday morning.

Reactions

Finnish President Alexander Stubb called Graham "a personal friend, a supporter of NATO and Ukraine, a transatlanticist, and a friend of Finland."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remembered Graham as a close friend and a strong supporter of the US-Israel alliance, praising his commitment to Israel's security and the free world. "Sara and I grieve with the American people over the loss of our dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham," Netanyahu said.

US President Donald Trump paid tribute, describing Graham as a dedicated public servant and a close ally. "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!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Graham was "a true friend and partner of Germany in the transatlantic alliance. We stood side by side for more than four decades."

Iranian state television announced Graham's death during a live broadcast in openly hostile terms. "I congratulate the great nation of Iran on Lindsey Graham, the warmongering and anti-Iranian US senator, having gone to hell," the anchor said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honoured Graham as a strong supporter of Ukraine, noting his ten visits to the country during the war with Russia and his efforts to maintain bipartisan backing for Kyiv. "Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer," Zelenskyy said.