US Senator Lindsey Graham, who emerged as a key ally of US President Donald Trump, has died on Saturday, July 11 (US time), according to a statement released by his office. He just turned 71 this month.

“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” his office shared in a statement on X. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

Lindsey Graham announced the Russian sanctions bill days before passing away

Graham’s passing comes as a major shock, especially since just earlier this week he was actively making headlines for moves in the US political circle.

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On Friday (US time), he was among the bipartisan senators to announce an agreement with the Donald Trump administration to move ahead with an updated Russian sanctions package. The Trump-backed Republican, alongside Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, has been pushing for the bill for years.

Moreover, Graham, who has frequently visited wartime Ukraine, even met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the weekend in Kyiv. During their conversations, the Republican senator and the Ukrainian leader discusses the war-torn country’s urgent air defence needs and the Russian sanctions bill.

“The road to ending this ⁠war, the road to peace, passes through Beijing more than it does (through) Washington, Kyiv, or Moscow. China has ​an oversized influence. I’d like them to use their influence for the good of the world,” Graham told reports at Mykhailivska Square. “I don’t believe (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is there yet, but it wouldn’t take much to get him there. And the sooner we can have a dialogue about peace, the quicker this war is ​over.”

As the legislation Graham has long been betting on intends to cut off the source of financing for much of Russia’s military operations, he added, “We have a magic moment ​in time here. In the coming months, if we do this right, increase Ukraine’s lethality, get people to help us with ​Putin rather than propping him up, we can end this war.”

From Trump’s sharp critic to his outspoken defender

According to his official website, Lindsey Graham was born and raised in a working-class family in a small town in South Carolina. Since his parents worked at a restaurant and pool hall, he grew up learning all about the values of a blue-collar household. Years down the line, he broke the cycle by becoming the first member of his family to attend college.

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Thereafter, he secured both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina.

Having even ran for president in 2016, Graham was one of the biggest critics of Donald Trump, only for him to later become of his most outspoken loyalists.

Despite one condemning Trump as a “jackass” and “race-baiting bigot,” and even dragging him as “the most flawed nominee in the history of the Republican party,” the influential lawmaker eventually took on the role on of his most valued allies. He has often backed the MAGA leader in the ongoing Iran conflict, pushing for military action in the West Asian country himself. As a retired air force reserve colonel specialising as a military lawyer, Graham famously supported the Iraq war as well.

His support for Trump took a major hit after the January 6, 2021, US Capitol insurrection. At the time, South Carolina’s Republican politician declared, “Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey – I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my point of view, he’s been a consequential president but today, first thing you’ll see. All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.”

Graham still wandered back on to the pro-Trump path, refusing to vote for his conviction at the impeachment trial. Having often emerged as Trump’s golf buddy, the senator ultimately endorsed Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Even the pinned post on his official X account shares a Trump connection, as Graham couldn’t help but fawn over the MAGA leader’s endorsement of him in 2025.

“Senator Lindsey Graham is working incredibly hard for the Great People of South Carolina, a State I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post last year.

“Lindsey has been a wonderful friend to me, and has always been there when I needed him. As the Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, Lindsey is fighting tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Lower Taxes, and Eliminate Government Waste. Lindsey is also relentlessly focussed on helping us Secure the Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strongly Support our Great Military/Vets, Promote American Energy DOMINANCE, Defence our always under siege Second Amendment, and ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

“Senator Lindsey Graham has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. Everyone in South Carolina should help Lindsey have a BIG WIN next year!”