President Donald Trump described the late Senator Lindsey Graham as a “true American patriot” in a Truth Social post made just after the longtime senator’s sudden death.
Graham’s office announced that he passed away from a “brief and sudden illness” in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 12. Late Saturday night, emergency services personnel responded to a Capitol Hill home owned by Graham over reports of a man suffering from chest pains.
Graham had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday.
He had served in the Senate since 2003, following terms in the U.S. House and South Carolina House, and was known for his focus on foreign policy, national defense, and bipartisan efforts on select issues. He was running for reelection at the time of his death.
Tributes poured in from across the political world after Graham’s shocking death was announced. “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot,” President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!”
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster described Graham as “irreplaceable” and “the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America — and a loyal and steadfast friend.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Graham as a friend and thanked him for his fierce support of the nation following Russia’s invasion in 2022. “Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer,” Zelensky posted on social media.
“He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed. We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations.”
President Donald J. Trump on the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham: pic.twitter.com/m2Mb5m1EKz
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2026
“My heart is heavy this morning to learn the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey’s long and dedicated service in the Air Force and in Congress carried him to far-flung regions of the world. He was a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). “He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause.”
Fellow South Carolina Senator Tim Scott described Graham as a statesman and a friend, adding, “Lindsey will be missed.”
