Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and an ally of President Donald Trump, has died “from a brief and sudden illness,” his office confirmed early Sunday morning. He was 71 years old.
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said.
Trump led the tributes, calling Graham a “true American patriot”.
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead,” he wrote on Truth Social. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW.”
Graham was chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was seeking a fifth six-year Senate term in November. He was also scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning.
Emergency officials responded to a call for “cardiac arrest” at Graham’s home on Saturday night, according to a law enforcement source that spoke with FWRD AXIS News on the condition of anonymity.
One Graham staffer told NBC News that there were no signs of the South Carolina senator feeling unwell before his death.
Graham had just returned to the United States from Kyiv, Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. “I’m grateful to Lindsey for recognizing our warriors,” Zelenskyy said at the time.
The 71-year-old senator was elected in 2002 and won reelection three times, most recently in 2020. He served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was a member of the Appropriations, Judiciary and Environment and Public Works committees.
Graham’s death comes as fellow Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell remains in the hospital after paramedics responded to a call at a known residence last month for an individual experiencing cardiac arrest.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
