GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham dead at 71, office says

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, died Saturday night after a brief and sudden illness, according to a statement released by the senator’s office early Sunday morning. Graham was 71. Graham’s family appreciated prayers, but requested privacy while they mourned, according to the statement. 

How have Graham’s colleagues responded? In a Sunday morning statement, President Donald Trump described Graham as one of the greatest people and senators he had ever known. Trump said Graham was an American patriot who was always working. Graham was considered to be a close ally of the president and an adviser to him on the Iran war. The pair regularly played golf and Trump endorsed Graham as he sought to retain his seat in this year’s election. The two weren’t always political allies however: Graham bitterly opposed Trump during the 2016 GOP presidential primary, predicting in a statement that if the GOP chose Trump as its presidential nominee, Republicans would rightfully be destroyed in the election. Graham also criticized Trump’s actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Graham quickly pivoted however, and the two repaired their relationship ahead of the 2024 election.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R.-S.D., cited both Graham’s military service in the U.S. Air Force and his lengthy service record in Congress as a proof of his love for America in a Sunday morning statement. He described him as a trusted adviser and colleague.

International leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were also quick to issue statements to mourn the senator’s passing, with Netanyahu calling Graham one of Israel’s greatest friends.

What’s next? Graham served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was an influential voice in the president’s ear on matters such as the wars in Iran and Ukraine. He had just returned from a visit to Ukraine and on Friday took part in a bipartisan announcement that Congress was prepared to move forward with the implementation of additional sanctions on Russia. He was scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday morning, according to the network.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a temporary replacement for Graham, in accordance with state law, according to the Associated Press.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report on Lindsey Graham’s campaign for the 2026 election.