US Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71 after sudden illness

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has passed away at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness, his office confirmed. The long-serving Republican senator died on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026.

A prominent figure in American politics, Senator Graham had served in the U.S. Senate since 2003 and previously in the U.S. House of Representatives, accumulating over three decades in Congress. He was known for his strong stance on foreign policy, including his support for Israel and advocacy for interventionist approaches.

Graham, who was actively seeking re-election for a fifth term in the upcoming November 2026 election, had also notably shifted from being a vocal critic of Donald Trump to becoming one of his closest political allies. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time.