US Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday night after a sudden illness, shortly after speaking on the phone with President Donald Trump. The 71-year-old South Carolina Republican, who had transformed from a Trump critic into one of his closest allies, collapsed at his home on Capitol Hill.
Sudden Death After Phone Call with Trump
President Trump revealed he had spoken to Graham, a frequent golfing companion, shortly before his death, telling him: "Come over anytime you want." Graham had just returned from a visit to Ukraine on Friday, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. He was scheduled to appear on NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday, but staffers said there was no indication he was ill before his death. He is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.
From Trump Critic to Staunch Ally
Graham's political journey was marked by a dramatic shift in his relationship with Trump. In 2015, he warned: "If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed... and we will deserve it." He had previously dismissed Trump as a "jackass" and a "race-baiting bigot." Trump retaliated by reading Graham's phone number aloud at a rally during the 2016 presidential campaign. However, the pair later resolved their differences, and Graham became one of Trump's most vocal supporters, particularly on the war in Iran.
Controversial Stances and Influence
Graham, who chaired both the Senate Budget and Judiciary committees, was known for his hawkish foreign policy views. Former Republican congressman Joe Walsh described him as a "war-hungry dude" who had Trump's ear, saying: "We’re talking about a guy who, if he could, would have American troops everywhere on the planet engaged in some sort of a war." Last month, Graham threatened to "obliterate" Iran if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite briefly distancing himself after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot—saying "Trump and I, we've had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way. All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough"—the pair reconciled again. President Trump said on Sunday that Graham was like a member of the family: "It’s very tough."
Tributes from World Leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute, saying: "Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added: "Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend."
