Trump Ally, US Senator Lindsey Graham Dies At 71 After A Brief Illness

United States Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump and one of the Republican Party’s most influential foreign policy voices, has died at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness.

His office announced his passing in a statement released on Saturday.

The statement said Graham died on the evening of 11 July, with his family requesting privacy during the mourning period.

“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement read.

Graham began his congressional career after winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 before moving to the Senate in 2002. He was subsequently re-elected in 2008, 2014 and 2020, serving South Carolina for more than two decades in the upper chamber. During his career, he chaired key Senate committees, including the Senate Budget Committee and previously the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Tributes pour in

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster described Graham as an irreplaceable public servant and a devoted friend.

“The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend,” McMaster said in a tribute.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also paid tribute to the late senator, describing him as a steadfast supporter of Israel.

“Senator Graham was a beacon of moral clarity and a true leader of the U.S.-Israel partnership,” Herzog said, adding that Israel would remain grateful for his loyalty and support during difficult times.

Political legacy

Throughout his career, Graham became known for his hawkish foreign policy positions, strong support for Israel, and advocacy for robust U.S. military engagement overseas. Although he was initially a critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, he later became one of the former president’s closest allies and a leading voice within the Republican Party on national security and international affairs.