Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died late Saturday night after a brief and sudden illness, his office confirmed, triggering an outpouring of tributes from world leaders and a sharply different response from Russian officials. The 71-year-old lawmaker, known for his hawkish foreign policy stance and close ties to President Donald Trump, reportedly suffered cardiac arrest before his death.
President Donald Trump described Graham as «one of the greatest people and Senators that I have ever known.» In an interview on NBC's «Meet the Press» on Sunday, Trump revealed that he had spoken with Graham just hours before his death. The senator had called Trump after returning from a trip to Ukraine to discuss the SAVE America Act, sounding tired but otherwise fine. Trump said he received word around 1 a.m. that Graham had passed away, calling the loss «very tough» and noting that Graham was «like a member of the family.»
Graham had been scheduled to make his 64th appearance on «Meet the Press» on Sunday morning, according to host Kristen Welker, who paid tribute to the late senator and offered condolences to his family and colleagues. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also joined the broadcast, calling Graham a «beloved friend» and saying his death was «grief» to Israel and «celebration» to Iran. Netanyahu praised Graham for never confusing good and evil and for his unwavering clarity and courage in confronting the Iranian regime.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remembered Graham as a «determined and fearless leader» who worked tirelessly to strengthen sanctions in close coordination with the European Union. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences, noting that Graham «stood resolutely in defense of democracy and freedom, most recently and particularly with Ukraine and its people.» Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Graham for his staunch advocacy for Ukrainians defending their country against Russian aggression, stating that «America and the world have lost a determined leader.»
Inside Russia, the reaction was markedly different. Alexey Pushkov, a Russian lawmaker representing President Vladimir Putin's party, called Graham «bloodthirsty» in a Telegram post. Kremlin propagandist Sergei Mardan added that the Russian people «certainly won't miss him,» according to The Daily Beast. The contrasting responses highlighted Graham's role as a vocal critic of Russian aggression and a key architect of sanctions against Moscow.
Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, served in the Senate since 2003 and was known for his fiery rhetoric and bipartisan deal-making on issues ranging from national security to immigration. He was a close ally of Trump and a staunch supporter of Israel, often traveling abroad to meet with world leaders. His death leaves a void in the Senate and raises questions about the future of his legislative priorities, including the SAVE America Act he had been pushing.
Graham's office released a statement asking for privacy for his family during this difficult time. The cause of death was listed as a brief and sudden illness, with cardiac arrest believed to be the immediate cause. Tributes continued to pour in from colleagues and foreign leaders, underscoring the impact of a senator who was both admired and reviled on the global stage.
