Sen. Lindsey Graham's death elicits bipartisan outpouring of condolences

Trump called Graham "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known."

The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham prompted condolences from President Donald Trump, world leaders, and a bipartisan list of the influential veteran South Carolina lawmaker's congressional colleagues.

Graham died from a "brief and sudden illness" on Saturday night at 71 years old, according to a statement released by his office .

"Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!" Trump said on social media on Sunday morning. "He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!"

The flags above the White House, as well as on the White House North Lawn flagpole, were lowered to half-staff in honor of Graham, who was a staunch ally of President Trump. He later announced on his social media platform that he is ordering "all American flags" throughout the country to be lowered to half-staff until Saturday, July 18 at 6 p.m.

"Jill and I are shocked by the sudden passing of Lindsey Graham," former President Joe Biden said in a statement Sunday.

"Lindsey and I served together in Congress for over a decade, and worked closely on many issues throughout the years. We traveled the world together as members of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. We disagreed often, and sometimes loudly," Biden wrote. "Lindsey and I did agree on the profound importance of public service. Like me, he loved the Senate as an institution, even with all its flaws and complexities."

"To his family, his staff, his constituents in South Carolina, and everyone who loved him: Jill and I are keeping you in our prayers," Biden's statement concluded.

Vice President JD Vance, who served in the Senate with Graham from 2023 to 2025, described Graham as a "one-of-a-kind figure in our politics," while also acknowledging their "disagreements."

"Lindsey Graham came from humble beginnings and became one of the most powerful lawmakers in the most powerful nation on Earth. His story was a fundamentally American one," Vance said.

Vance recalled getting into heated disagreements with Graham, but said, "I couldn't help but like him."

"He fought like hell for the things he believed in, and he was just as willing to go to bat for you when it counted,” Vance said.

Graham's death came after he returned home from his 10th visit to Ukraine, where he met on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Graham and a bipartisan group of senators announced on Friday a deal with the White House on a Russian sanctions bill that Graham had long championed.

In a statement on social media Sunday, Zelenskyy said he was "deeply saddened" by the news of Graham's death and praised the senator as "a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer."

"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," Zelenskyy said. "We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week."

Zelenskyy said Graham had been working on "important initiatives that could help bring peace closer."

"America and the world have lost a determined leader," Zelenskyy said.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said he and his family were "devastated" by Graham's passing.

"The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast friend. ... We shall not see his likes again," McMaster said in a post on X .

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Graham a "beloved friend" and said "America has lost a great patriot" with his passing.

Graham was a strong advocate of the Trump administration's support of Israel during its war against Hamas in Gaza and also supported President Trump on the war in Iran.

South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott became emotional when reminiscing about Graham on ABC's "This Week," telling co-anchor Martha Raddatz , "Lindsey Graham was irreplaceable."

"I will always remember Lindsey Graham as a guy who was, as soon as I was appointed to the Senate, he embraced my candidacy for re-election. He was there on the campaign trail with me," said Scott, who served with Graham for 13 years in the Senate. "To my family, he became a friend. He was one of only three or four senators I invited to my wedding because Lindsey Graham had become a part of the family. And it is a rare thing in politics, a rare thing in life, to find people who are actually your friend."

Rep. Jim Clyburn, a longtime Democratic representative from South Carolina, also expressed condolences to Graham's family, writing in a social media post that he and Graham "maintained a relationship grounded in mutual respect, even when our political differences were significant."

"His commitment to public service and the people he represented will remain an enduring part of his legacy," Clyburn said.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., recalled Graham as "a man who loved his work, his country, and his family. "

"Lindsey had a zest for life and the Senate that made you want to get to work on a bill with him or at least debate him. He brought joy to his job," Klobuchar said.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in a statement that he was just with Graham at last week's NATO summit in Turkey.

"At a private dinner at the Ambassador’s residence, he was working every senator on a strategy to end the war in Ukraine. Typical Lindsey," Durbin said. "Lindsey was part of every important policy issue and an indispensable player in every Senate 'gang.' He was a fierce Republican partisan one day and a key bipartisan ally the next."

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in a social media statement that he was "heartbroken" to hear of Graham's death.

"Lindsey and I disagreed on plenty over the years, but I never doubted his love for this country or his commitment to serving it. He was a fierce advocate for the causes he believed in, especially our nation’s security and the men and women of our armed forces," Warner said in a statement

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement that Graham "believed and advocated tirelessly for American strength and exceptionalism."

"He served his country throughout his life – from the U.S. Air Force, to the S.C. House, to the U.S. House, to the U.S. Senate," Johnson said.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of my former colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham," former Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement . "He was full of wit, energy, and charm, and he cared deeply about the Senate and the people of South Carolina. Doug and I are sending our thoughts and our prayers to his friends and loved ones.”

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