Lindsey Graham dies at 71, Trump says he was like family: Live updates
WASHINGTON − South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died from a "brief and sudden illness" on Saturday, his office said in a statement. He was 71.
In his more than three decades in Washington, Graham played major roles in crafting key pieces of legislation that affected millions of Americans' lives while also developing a reputation as a stark foreign policy hawk. Preliminary examination findings determined that Graham died of an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the senator's office.
President Donald Trump, a friend of Graham's, said he spoke with the South Carolina lawmaker shortly before emergency responders arrived at his home in Washington on Saturday night. Emergency personnel said they were conducting CPR on a man suffering from cardiac arrest, according to public safety radio feeds reviewed by USA TODAY.
Trump said Graham was "like a member of the family" who knew how to work with members of both political parties and loved serving in the U.S. Senate. Graham had recently returned from meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and had called Trump about the SAVE America Act, a sweeping piece of voting legislation.
"He's a tough one to lose," Trump said in a phone interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "He was great. He was unique in every way, actually."
Preliminary findings reveal Graham died from an aortic dissection
A preliminary examination from the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia found that Graham died from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to Taylor Reidy, the senator's communications director. Reidy said the findings are preliminary and that additional testing is underway.
"The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death," Graham's office said in a statement.
George W. Bush: 'I was fortunate' to know Graham
Former President George W. Bush and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush, mourned the loss of Graham in a statement Sunday.
"Laura and I were saddened to wake up to the shocking news of Senator Lindsey Graham's death," Bush said. "He was a knowledgeable Senator who understood how the world works and how important America's international engagement is to resist tyranny."
Bush said Graham was a kind and funny man who loved America and loved serving the country.
"South Carolina was fortunate to have such a committed public servant in its corner," Bush said. "And I was fortunate to have known Lindsey Graham."
Trump calls for flags to be lowered in honor of Graham
The White House lowered its flag to half staff on Sunday in honor of Graham's legacy. It is tradition for flags to be lowered after the death of notable Americans who have impacted public policy. In a later Truth Social post, Trump ordered all American flags to be lowered to half mast until the night of July 19.
"In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Saturday evening at 6 P.M.," Trump wrote.
"GOD BLESS YOU LINDSEY!" Trump said.
Once political rivals who both ran for the presidency in 2016, Trump and Graham later became political allies after the 2018 death of Graham's close friend, Arizona Sen. John McCain.
Joe Biden mourns loss of former close friend Graham
Former President Joe Biden is mourning the loss of his former close friend Graham, saying he and former first lady Jill Biden are "shocked by the sudden passing."
"Lindsey and I served together in Congress for over a decade, and worked closely on many issues throughout the years," Biden said in a statement. "We traveled the world together as members of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. We disagreed often, and sometimes loudly."
"Lindsey and I did agree on the profound importance of public service," Biden said. "Like me, he loved the Senate as an institution, even with all its flaws and complexities."
Biden said he was keeping Graham's family, staff and constituents in his prayers. Biden and Graham were friends for decades, but their relationship cooled after the Biden administration's removal of American troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 and amid Graham's staunch support for Trump.
Kash Patel says FBI assisting authorities with Graham's death
FBI Director Kash Patel said the Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting local law enforcement officials in the handling of Graham's death.
"Senator Lindsey Graham was a devoted public servant, a fierce defender of our nation, and a true patriot who dedicated his life to the people of South Carolina and the United States," Patel wrote in a statement on Sunday, offering prayers for the senator's loved ones and colleagues.
"The FBI is assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available," Patel said.
JD Vance remembers Graham
Vice President JD Vance said in a statement that Graham "came from humble beginnings and became one of the most powerful lawmakers in the most powerful nation on Earth," calling the senator's life story "a fundamentally American one."
Vance recalled getting into a shouting match with Graham about a Ukraine funding bill at a lunch early in his Senate tenure. But he learned the next day that, behind the scenes, Graham was supporting rail legislation that Vance had backed.
"That was Lindsey Graham. He fought like hell for the things he believed in, and he was just as willing to go to bat for you when it counted," Vance said, also praising Graham's humor.
"We certainly had our disagreements. But I couldn't help but like him," Vance said. "A one of a kind figure in our politics. I'll be praying for him and his family."
Trump says he knows who he wants to replace Graham in Senate
Trump said he has an individual in mind as his preference to replace Graham as the next U.S. senator from South Carolina but declined to reveal the person.
"I have somebody that I think would be great, but I don't want to say it now because it's just too soon with Lindsey," Trump said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I don't even want to talk about anybody, but I do have somebody who I think is really good."
Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster, a Trump ally, is tasked with appointing an interim replacement before a special election will be held in August to choose the next senator.
"They'll have some people joining," Trump said of the special election. "Some are good, some are bad. But I have somebody that I like, but I'm not going to tell you who now because it's too soon."
Trump says Graham seemed tired but not ill on phone call
Trump during his interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" said Graham seemed tired on their phone call hours before the senator was pronounced dead but said Graham did not mention feeling ill.
Graham had recently arrived back in Washington from a long flight from Ukraine, where he met with Zelenskyy.
"He said he's a little tired. It's a long trip, you know, many hours. And he had just gotten back," Trump said. "On the call he told me, Kristen, 'I feel good. But I'm tired,'" Trump said, referring to "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker.
Trump said first responders arrived at Graham's location in Washington not long after he spoke to him around 7 p.m. ET.
"I mean, it must have been right after that because I understand the police, or whoever it is, came there about 7:30, 8 o'clock in the evening, or something like that."
Graham was 'like a member of the family,' Trump says
Trump said Sunday that Graham was "like a member of the family," remembering him as someone who knew how to work with lawmakers from both political parties and loved serving in the U.S. Senate.
"He was such an advocate. If he wanted to get something, he had a unique ability to deal with Democrats and Republicans," Trump said in a phone interview on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"If I had a problem – a real problem – I wouldn't often ask. But if I had a problem with a Democrat, he could work it out. He was a great politician, actually."
Trump said Graham "loved being a politician," predicting he would easily win his reelection bid in November.
"He was going to have a big victory. And the people love him. Everybody loved him. Well, no, he had some enemies. He was a tough cookie. Don't misunderstand. If he thought he was right and he had people against him, he could be very tough, actually."
Emergency personnel reported cardiac arrest at Graham's home
Emergency responders were dispatched to the Capitol Hill home of Sen. Lindsey Graham around 8:30 p.m. ET following a report of someone suffering chest pain, according to audio on the Broadcastify website, which archives public safety radio feeds.
The dispatcher indicated that the caller was on their way to the home from Baltimore, according to the audio. The dispatcher said the caller believed the door was unlocked, but emergency responders said it was deadbolted and that they knocked repeatedly.
The dispatcher then appeared to request the Metropolitan Police Department gain access to the home. The police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Just after 8:50 p.m., emergency personnel said CPR was in progress and that a man was suffering from cardiac arrest, according to the audio.
Graham's cause of death has not been released. In a statement, the lawmaker's office said he "passed away from a brief and sudden illness."
Trump says he spoke to Graham about voting legislation
Trump said he spoke to Graham on the phone at around 7 p.m. ET Saturday night, after the senator returned from Ukraine and hours before he was pronounced dead.
"I got a call last night, some time in the early evening, maybe in the sevens," Trump said in a phone interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," the Sunday morning program that Graham was scheduled to appear on. "He called and he said, ‘We're all set on the SAVE America Act.' He was pushing the SAVE America Act like crazy."
Trump said he told Graham "we're going to get it done, Lindsey," referring to the passage of the long-stalled bill Trump has pushed to overhaul voting in federal elections.
Trump said he told Graham he will see him soon. "We thought we might even meet today. And then that was it," the president said. "It could have been his last call. I don't know exactly."
How will Graham be replaced?
Graham's death has raised questions about Senate Republicans' 52-47 majority. Graham's former seat is now vacant, and former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has been hospitalized since June 14.
According to the 17th Amendment, governors can make temporary appointments and must hold special elections to fill Senate vacancies. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will likely appoint a successor to fill Graham's seat and schedule a special election to replace him.
The Senate is expected to return Monday, July 13 after a two-week recess.
Graham's Democratic opponent Annie Andrews: 'Setting partisanship aside'
Annie Andrews, the South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate who was expected to face off against Graham in November, said in a post on social media, "I hope that South Carolinians will join me in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude to Senator Lindsey Graham for his service."
"My deepest condolences are with the family of Senator Lindsey Graham, his friends, his devoted staff, and all who are grieving this sudden and tremendous loss," Andrews said.
She continued: "From his small-town South Carolina roots to the halls of the U.S. Senate, he was a man of great faith who proudly served our nation as a JAG officer and Air Force colonel."
Andrews, a pediatrician and frequent Graham critic, launched her candidacy to challenge the senator in May 2025 after losing a 2022 race in South Carolina's Lowcountry against embattled Rep. Nancy Mace.
Graham met with Zelenskyy days ago
Graham met with Zelenskyy just days ago in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital city. "Good meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham," Zelensky wrote on social media on Friday.
"This is already his 10th visit to our country, and we appreciate this support," Zelenskyy said. "I'm grateful to Lindsey for recognizing our warriors."
In a statement on his official X account, Zelenskyy said he was "deeply saddened" by the news of Graham's death, calling the senator a "defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer."
"Our condolences go out to Lindsey's family, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him," Zelenskyy said.
Graham was scheduled to appear on 'Meet the Press' before death
Graham, a regular on Sunday morning political talk shows, was previously expected to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" with moderator Kristen Welker before his death. In a social media post, Welker said Graham's appearance would have been his 64th time on the nation's longest running TV show.
"We are sending our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues," Welker said.
The "Meet the Press" moderator also revealed that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will join the program to share personal reflections on Graham's life and legacy.
Meghan McCain happily remembers Graham, notes 'complex' relationship
Longtime Graham family friend Meghan McCain, a former co-host of "The View," mourned the senator's death in an early morning social media post on Sunday.
McCain said she first met Graham when she was 11 after he attended a political event with her father, former Arizona Sen. John McCain. Graham, her father and the late Sen. Joe Lieberman were longtime friends and dubbed themselves "The Three Amigos."
"My Dad was the soul of the group, Joe was the heart of the group and Lindsey was the fire and humor," McCain wrote. She said the trio remained friends throughout their lives, calling the bond "rare" and "nearly extinct."
"The memories I will hold dear of Lindsey is that was always the person you hoped you sat next to at a dinner party," McCain said. "Charming, very, very, very funny - like so funny he truly could have had a career in stand up comedy." The "Citizen McCain" podcast host said Graham was a constant source of support to Sen. McCain's widow, Cindy McCain, in the wake of his 2018 death.
"The news of his sudden passing is shocking and deeply saddening for me and my family," McCain said. "Like many relationships in life, mine with Lindsey was complex in later years." In the years after her father's death, McCain repeatedly criticized Graham. The South Carolina senior senator developed a close relationship with Trump, a foe of McCain's father.
Graham's focus on foreign policy
Graham, an Air Force veteran and former state legislator, served for more than three decades on Capitol Hill. He first came to the House of Representatives after victory in the 1994 elections, before later being elected to serve in the Senate in 2002, succeeding Strom Thurmond.
He was a major backer of Israel in Washington and a fierce critic of Iran. In a June appearance on CBS News' "Face the Nation," Graham said the United States would "obliterate" the Islamic Republic if the country contested control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that has become a main point of negotiation in the Iran war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel had "lost one of its greatest friends."
Graham has also remained a vocal advocate for Ukraine, even as others in the GOP distanced themselves in recent years from outwardly supporting the war-torn nation.
John Thune mourns Lindsey Graham
In a statement, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, called Graham a trusted adviser and colleague, saying "numerous presidents and heads of state have relied on his counsel."
"His influence on the federal judiciary, our national defense, and his beloved South Carolina will be felt for generations," Thune said.
Political world reacts to Graham's death
Other tributes for Graham poured in early Sunday morning from his colleagues.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said he would "miss his infectious laugh, quick wit, and enthusiasm for life."
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said there were "no words to describe his impact on the foreign and domestic policy of the United States."
"He stood solidly for freedom and strength and he fought for liberty across the globe," Wicker said in a statement. "Lindsey Graham can be succeeded in office but he cannot be replaced."
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called Graham "the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America," in a statement posted to X. "Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable," he said.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lindsey Graham dies at 71, Trump says he was like family: Live updates
Reporting by James Powel, Zachary Schermele, Jay Stahl, Joey Garrison and Christopher Cann, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 5:15 PM.