Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump Ally and Israel’s ‘Greatest Friend,’ Dies Suddenly at 71
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and a close ally of President Donald Trump, has died at age 71 after a brief and sudden illness.
Graham’s office confirmed the death on Sunday, citing a “brief and sudden illness” [194526][194400][194406][194416]. He was serving his fourth consecutive six-year term in the Senate, having been first elected in 2002 [194526][194400][194412].
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led international condolences, calling Graham “a great friend of Israel” and saying, “We have no better friend than Lindsey” [194401]. Netanyahu added that Graham understood “the security of Israel and America are inseparable” and that “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends” [194401]. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Defense Minister Israel Katz also expressed condolences [194526].
Graham was a key foreign policy advisor to Trump, focusing on Israel, Ukraine, and Iran [194393]. He was a frequent visitor to the White House and played a central role in providing legal and moral justification for Israel’s actions during the Trump presidency [194393]. He was known as one of the most hardline Republican voices on Iran and a strong supporter of Israel [194526].
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Graham as “a determined and fearless leader” who worked to strengthen sanctions against Russia in close cooperation with the European Union [194526]. He had recently visited Kyiv for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky [194526].
Trump called Graham “a true American Patriot” in a statement [194526]. Just weeks before his death, Trump had endorsed Graham’s reelection campaign [194526].