Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after sudden illness
by Darryl Coote · UPIJuly 12 (UPI) -- Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died suddenly on Saturday night, two days after his 71st birthday, his office announced.
Graham had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he toured a drone factory and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, CBS News and The Washington Post reported.
"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 posted to X.
"Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period," the statement said.
Graham had been scheduled to appear on NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday morning, which instead featured an interview with President Donald Trump, who said that he'd spoken with the senator on Saturday after he'd returned from Ukraine.
"Other than being tired, he was fine," Trump said.
According to preliminary findings by the District of Columbia's medical examiner that were released Sunday by Graham's office, the veteran senator died from a heart issue, according to reports. UPI has contacted his office for confirmation.
The cause of death was an "aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease," the statement said, with aortic dissection being a tear to the inner wall of the aorta, a life-threatening medical emergency, Politico reported.
"The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death," the statement read.
In honor of Graham, Trump ordered in a statement on his Truth Social media platform all U.S. flags throughout the country to be lowered to half-staff through 6 p.m. July 18.
Zelensky was among world leaders to share condolences online, saying Graham was a "true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer."
Graham was a strong supporter of Ukraine's defense, even during periods when Trump, the senator's close ally, sought to distance the United States from Kyiv by seeking to curtail aid and adopted a more conciliatory posture toward Russia.
The South Carolinian visited Ukraine 10 times amid the war, and remained in constant conversation with Zelensky, the Ukrainian president said.
"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," Zelensky said in a statement. "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," he added.
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada offered his condolences to Graham's family, friends and colleagues.
"Through his career, he stood resolutely in defense of democracy and freedom, most recently and particularly with Ukraine and its people," he said online.
Former President Joe Biden reminisced about serving with Graham in Congress for over a decade and said that while they may have disagreed on many topics, they agreed "on the profound importance of public service."
"Like me, he loved the Senate as an institution, even with all its flaws and complexities," Biden said in a statement.
"To his family, his staff, his constituents in South Carolina, and everyone who loved him: Jill and I are keeping you in our prayers."
Graham, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, had already won South Carolina's Republican Senate primary and will now have to be replaced on the ticket.
The state is expected to hold a special primary in the next few weeks so that voters can choose a new candidate.
Notable deaths of 2026
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Singer Bonnie Tyler performs the song "Believe in Me" during the dress rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Sweden, on May 17, 2013. Tyler, best known for her hit songs "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out For a Hero," died at the age of 75 on July 8. Photo by Jessica Gow/EPA