Trump’s Close Ally and Veteran US Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71 After Sudden Illness

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham , a powerful voice in American politics and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies, has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” His death marks the end of a political career that spanned more than two decades in the US Senate.

Graham’s office announced his passing in a statement, saying the senator died on the evening of July 11. His family requested privacy and expressed gratitude for prayers during the difficult time.

Representing South Carolina in the Senate since 2003 , Graham became one of the most recognisable figures in the Republican Party. A former Air Force officer and trained lawyer, he built a reputation as an influential voice on national security and foreign policy.

Graham was among the most vocal American lawmakers supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia . He repeatedly pushed for tougher sanctions on Moscow and argued for sustained military and financial assistance to Kyiv. Supporters viewed his stance as a defense of international security, while critics said he consistently favored a more confrontational approach toward the conflict and often encouraged stronger US involvement abroad.

He was also widely regarded as one of the Senate’s strongest pro-Israel voices. Throughout his career, Graham strongly backed the US-Israel alliance and frequently defended Israel during periods of regional tension. Some analysts noted that his death would be felt keenly by pro-Israel supporters who saw him as a dependable ally and influential advocate in Washington. At the same time, critics often described him as a foreign-policy hawk , arguing that he regularly supported military interventions, aggressive sanctions and a hard line against America’s adversaries.

His political relationship with Donald Trump evolved dramatically over the years. During the 2016 Republican presidential race , Graham was a sharp critic of Trump, but the two later developed a close partnership. Graham went on to become one of Trump’s most dependable allies in Congress, supporting several of the former president’s key policies, including judicial appointments, immigration measures and foreign policy initiatives.

Graham also drew attention in India over his criticism of New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil during the Ukraine conflict. He backed stronger pressure on countries that continued energy trade with Moscow, arguing that such purchases helped sustain Russia’s war effort.

Trump paid tribute to Graham after news of his death, describing him as “one of the greatest people and Senators” he had known and calling him a “true American Patriot.” He said Graham would be deeply missed.

Born in South Carolina, Graham began his political career after being elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994 before moving to the Senate in 2003 . He also served in the US Air Force and Air Force Reserve , eventually retiring with the rank of colonel . With his death, the Senate loses one of its most influential Republican voices, a lawmaker admired by supporters for his steadfastness and criticized by opponents for his hawkish foreign-policy positions.