Lindsey Graham, long-time SC Senator and Trump ally, dies at 71

Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican senator from South Carolina, who had become one of President Donald Trump’s staunchest political allies, died on Saturday after a “brief and sudden” illness, his office said in a statement. Former Air Force Lawyer Senator Graham served in Congress for more than three decades. He turned 71 just two days before his death.

“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” said the statement, which was posted early Sunday on social media.

Sen. Graham, who traveled the globe to advocate for a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy, died after a tear in his aorta, according to a preliminary medical examiner finding shared by his office. An official cause of death will be disclosed after toxicological and microscopic testing.

President Trump said Sen. Graham was “like a member of the family. It’s very tough.” He said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Graham had called him on Saturday night after returning from a trip to Ukraine and “sounded a little bit tired, but perfect.” The president ordered that flags across the country be flown at half-staff until next Saturday evening.

The Passing of Senator Lindsey Graham
Category	Details
The Passing	U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) passed away on July 11, 2026, following a brief and sudden illness. He had just turned 71 years old.
Cause of Death	A preliminary examination by the medical examiner determined the cause of death to be an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Political Legacy	Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003, establishing himself as a prominent voice on foreign policy and defense. He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.
Trump's Reaction	President Donald Trump mourned his passing on Truth Social, calling Graham "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known" and a "true American Patriot."
The Successor	South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster officially appointed Graham's sister, Darline Graham, to temporarily fill his vacant Senate seat. She was sworn in on July 14, 2026.
The Election Impact	Because Graham was running for re-election this November, his sudden death immediately triggered a vacancy on the ballot. The South Carolina GOP will hold a special election on August 11 to select a new nominee to face Democrat Annie Andrews in the midterms.