The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham prompted condolences from President Donald Trump, world leaders, and a bipartisan listing of the influential veteran South Carolina lawmaker’s congressional colleagues.
Graham died from a “temporary and sudden sickness” on Saturday night time at 71 years previous, in response to a statement launched by his workplace.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of many biggest individuals and Senators I’ve ever identified, is lifeless!” Trump mentioned on social media on Sunday morning. “He was all the time working, and was a real American Patriot. Lindsey will likely be tremendously missed!!!”
Sen. Lindsey Graham stands subsequent to former President Donald Trump, throughout Donald Trump’s marketing campaign cease to unveil his management staff, on the South Carolina State Home in Columbia, South Carolina, January 28, 2023.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
The flags above the White Home, in addition to on the White Home North Garden flagpole, have been lowered to half-staff in honor of Graham, who was a staunch ally of President Trump. He later introduced on his social media platform that he’s ordering “all American flags” all through the nation to be lowered to half-staff till Saturday, July 18 at 6 p.m.
“Jill and I are shocked by the sudden passing of Lindsey Graham,” former President Joe Biden mentioned in a statement Sunday.
“Lindsey and I served collectively in Congress for over a decade, and labored carefully on many points all through the years. We traveled the world collectively as members of the Senate International Relations committee. We disagreed typically, and generally loudly,” Biden wrote. “Lindsey and I did agree on the profound significance of public service. Like me, he beloved the Senate as an establishment, even with all its flaws and complexities.”
“To his household, his workers, his constituents in South Carolina, and everybody who beloved him: Jill and I are preserving you in our prayers,” Biden’s assertion concluded.
Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to the press alongside President Donald Trump, surrounded by members of Congress, after Trump signed a funding invoice to finish a partial authorities shutdown within the Oval Workplace of the White Home in Washington, Feb. 3, 2026.
Saul Loeb/AFP through Getty Photographs
Vice President JD Vance, who served within the Senate with Graham from 2023 to 2025, described Graham as a “one-of-a-kind determine in our politics,” whereas additionally acknowledging their “disagreements.”
“Lindsey Graham got here from humble beginnings and have become one of the crucial highly effective lawmakers in essentially the most highly effective nation on Earth. His story was a essentially American one,” Vance mentioned.
Vance recalled entering into heated disagreements with Graham, however mentioned, “I could not assist however like him.”
“He fought like hell for the issues he believed in, and he was simply as prepared to go to bat for you when it counted,” Vance mentioned.
Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to reporters, on the day of categorized briefings for the total U.S. Senate and Home of Representatives on the state of affairs in Iran, on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 3, 2026.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Graham’s loss of life got here after he returned dwelling from his tenth go to to Ukraine, the place he met on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Graham and a bipartisan group of senators introduced on Friday a take care of the White Home on a Russian sanctions bill that Graham had lengthy championed.
In a statement on social media Sunday, Zelenskyy mentioned he was “deeply saddened” by the information of Graham’s loss of life and praised the senator as “a real defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.”
Ukrainian’s President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Sen. Lindsey Graham in Kyiv, July 10, 2026.
Ukrainian Presidential Press Service through AFP through Getty Photographs
“He visited Ukraine ten instances through the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and was right here with our individuals when it was most wanted,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “We remained in fixed dialogue, and I’ll miss our conversations. We met twice in simply the previous week.”
Zelenskyy mentioned Graham had been engaged on “vital initiatives that would assist carry peace nearer.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham reply media questions close to broken Russian autos exhibition in central Kyiv, July 10, 2026.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photograph
“America and the world have misplaced a decided chief,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster mentioned he and his household have been “devastated” by Graham’s passing.
“The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast pal. … We will not see his likes once more,” McMaster mentioned in a post on X.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to as Graham a “beloved pal” and mentioned “America has misplaced an excellent patriot” together with his passing.
Graham was a powerful advocate of the Trump administration’s assist of Israel throughout its battle in opposition to Hamas in Gaza and likewise supported President Trump on the battle in Iran.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott grew to become emotional when reminiscing about Graham on ABC’s “This Week,” telling co-anchor Martha Raddatz, “Lindsey Graham was irreplaceable.”
South Carolina Republican Sens. Tim Scott, left, and Lindsey Graham stand on stage earlier than then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a main election night time celebration on the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina on Feb. 24, 2024.
Andrew Harnik/AP
“I’ll all the time keep in mind Lindsey Graham as a man who was, as quickly as I used to be appointed to the Senate, he embraced my candidacy for re-election. He was there on the marketing campaign path with me,” mentioned Scott, who served with Graham for 13 years within the Senate. “To my household, he grew to become a pal. He was one in all solely three or 4 senators I invited to my marriage ceremony as a result of Lindsey Graham had grow to be part of the household. And it’s a uncommon factor in politics, a uncommon factor in life, to search out people who find themselves really your pal.”
Rep. Jim Clyburn, a longtime Democratic consultant from South Carolina, additionally expressed condolences to Graham’s household, writing in a social media post that he and Graham “maintained a relationship grounded in mutual respect, even when our political variations have been important.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to reporters as he arrives on the Capitol through the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on prices of abuse of energy and obstruction of Congress, in Washington, Jan. 27, 2020.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
“His dedication to public service and the individuals he represented will stay a permanent a part of his legacy,” Clyburn mentioned.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., recalled Graham as “a person who beloved his work, his nation, and his household. “
“Lindsey had a zest for all times and the Senate that made you wish to get to work on a invoice with him or no less than debate him. He introduced pleasure to his job,” Klobuchar mentioned.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ailing., mentioned in a press release that he was simply with Graham finally week’s NATO summit in Turkey.
“At a non-public dinner on the Ambassador’s residence, he was working each senator on a technique to finish the battle in Ukraine. Typical Lindsey,” Durbin mentioned. “Lindsey was a part of each vital coverage difficulty and an indispensable participant in each Senate ‘gang.’ He was a fierce Republican partisan at some point and a key bipartisan ally the following.”
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., mentioned in a social media statement that he was “heartbroken” to listen to of Graham’s loss of life.
“Lindsey and I disagreed on a lot over time, however I by no means doubted his love for this nation or his dedication to serving it. He was a fierce advocate for the causes he believed in, particularly our nation’s safety and the women and men of our armed forces,” Warner mentioned in a press release
Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., mentioned in a statement that Graham “believed and advocated tirelessly for American energy and exceptionalism.”
“He served his nation all through his life – from the U.S. Air Drive, to the S.C. Home, to the U.S. Home, to the U.S. Senate,” Johnson mentioned.
