Veteran United States senator and close ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”
Graham reportedly died on Saturday evening, just a day after returning from Kyiv, where he met with the Ukrainian president .
According to aides, there had been no known health concerns before the trip.
President Trump paid tribute to the South Carolina Republican. senator, describing him as “a true American patriot” whose service to the United States would be “greatly missed.”
First elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, Graham became one of Washington’s most influential voices on foreign policy.
Throughout his political career, he consistently advocated strong American military engagement overseas and remained a vocal supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia, backing military aid to Kyiv and tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Reacting to his death, President Zelenskyy said he was “deeply saddened,” describing Graham as a determined leader whose commitment to Ukraine would be remembered.
Graham’s political relationship with Trump underwent a dramatic transformation over the years.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, he was one of Trump’s sharpest Republican critics, warning that nominating Trump would damage the party.
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He also distanced himself from Trump following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, declaring on the Senate floor that “enough is enough.”
However, the South Carolina senator later emerged as one of Trump’s strongest allies, supporting him during his impeachment trial and backing his successful return to the White House in the 2024 election.
Graham frequently defended Trump’s record on border security, judicial appointments and national security.
Known for his hawkish foreign policy views, Graham strongly supported military intervention in several international conflicts, including Iraq, and remained critical of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
More recently, he advocated a hardline approach toward Iran, calling for overwhelming military action if Tehran threatened international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli Prime Minister also paid tribute, describing Graham as one of Israel’s greatest friends and praising his longstanding support for the country’s security.
U.S. media reported that emergency medical personnel responded to Graham’s Washington, D.C., residence after receiving reports of a cardiac arrest.
His office later confirmed his death but did not disclose further medical details.
Graham’s death marks the end of more than two decades in the U.S. Senate, where he became one of the Republican Party’s most prominent and influential figures on defence, foreign affairs and national security.
