Senator Lindsey Graham died from aortic rupture, medical examiner says
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Donald Trump, died at age 71 from an aortic rupture. He was a prominent hawk on foreign policy and a key figure in Congress.
US Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday night after a "brief and sudden illness," according to a statement from his office. The Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia's preliminary findings indicate the cause of death was aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease – an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of the arteries. Graham was 71.
Graham, one of President Donald Trump's closest allies in Congress and a noted hawk on foreign affairs, had just returned from a trip to Ukraine. On Friday, he announced an agreement with the Trump administration to move forward on a package of Russia sanctions. He served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was seeking a fifth term.
President Trump, who spoke to Graham frequently, said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Graham was "like a member of the family." Trump ordered flags across the country to be flown at half-staff until Saturday evening. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Graham visited 10 times since Russia's invasion, called him "a true defender of freedom."
Under South Carolina law, Republican Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement. A special primary will be held within weeks to select a new nominee for the November general election. Graham's death leaves a rare open Senate seat, with potential replacements including Representatives Nancy Mace and Russell Fry.
Graham's relationship with Trump evolved from criticism in 2016 to close alliance. He defended Trump during both first-term impeachments, though he briefly broke with Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Graham was also known for bipartisan work on immigration reform and as a key backer of Trump's Iran policy.
Graham was unmarried and had no children. He often spoke of his humble beginnings growing up behind a bar in South Carolina. His death prompted tributes from world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said, "Israel has lost one of its greatest friends."
