This morning comes the shocking news that South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham died yesterday evening. He had just turned 71 this past Thursday. According to his office, he died after a “brief and sudden illness.” He was completing his fourth term in the Senate and gliding to reelection in November.
Statement from the Office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). pic.twitter.com/CQ5yVvqTH1
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 12, 2026
What a sad day. The AP has posted an obituary here. The Washington Post has more on his death here. President Trump has posted the brief tribute below.
President Donald J. Trump on the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham: pic.twitter.com/m2Mb5m1EKz
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2026
Senator Graham was of course a passionate advocate of a strong American foreign policy. Perhaps most notably, he faithfully supported a close relationship with Israel as the cornersone of our indispensable ally in the Middle East.
Sara and I grieve with the American people over the loss of our dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham.
In our recent meeting, I said, "Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine. We have no better friend than Lindsey."
Lindsey understood that the security… pic.twitter.com/JG2mUUAfFT
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 12, 2026
Senator Graham had just returned from Kyiv. According to the Post story, “Graham told reporters in Kyiv on Friday that a bipartisan group of senators had reached an agreement with the White House to impose new sanctions on Russia in an effort to end that country’s long-running war with Ukraine.” He seems to have been working approximately up to the moment of his death last night.
Senator Graham’s closest surviving family member is is sister Darline Graham Nordone. Graham’s parents died during a 15-month span in the late 1970s. He helped raise and care for his then 13-year-old sister following the sudden death of their father. RIP.
