Trump Mourns Senator Lindsey Graham, Describing Him as 'One of the Greatest People'

US President Donald Trump mourned the death on Sunday of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, describing him as “one of the greatest people” he had ever known, shortly after the announcement of his passing at the age of 71 following a “sudden” illness. Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social: “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people I have ever known, has died! He was hardworking and a true American patriot. Everyone will miss him greatly.”

The statement issued by the office of the Republican senator from South Carolina read: “US Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday evening, July 11, after a brief sudden illness,” adding that “his family requests privacy during this difficult time.”

Graham was known for his support of a war against Iran. First elected to the House of Representatives in 1994, he was later elected to the Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020. He most recently served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster described him as “irreplaceable,” writing on the platform X: “He was one of the strongest defenders of South Carolina and the United States, and a loyal and steadfast friend.”

Graham also worked as a military lawyer, attaining the rank of colonel in the Air Force, an experience that helped shape his foreign policy positions favoring US intervention. The late senator was one of the most prominent members of the chamber and a pivotal voice within the Republican Party on defense and international affairs.