Republicans mourn the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham

July 12, 2026 – The nation woke up to the shocking news that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) had passed away during the night.

Graham had just returned from an official state visit to Ukraine and had briefed President Donald J. Trump (R) on this and other matters on a Saturday night phone call. That phone call with President Trump was the final act of a lifetime of service to this nation. Republicans across the nation are mourning the passing of South Carolina's senior Senator.

The Alabama Republican Party said in a statement, "We join South Carolina in mourning the loss of Sen. Lindsey Graham. His decades of faithful public service leave behind a lasting legacy. May he rest in peace."

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) said, "Sad to hear about the passing of my colleague Lindsey. He loved this country and fought hard for what he believed in. Praying for his family and friends during this difficult time."

Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) said in a statement:

"Wesley and I are shocked and deeply saddened.

Lindsey was a true and dear friend, a great leader, and a fierce advocate for the people of South Carolina. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know him, learn from him, and serve alongside him. He not only graciously welcomed me to the Senate and gave me a seat at the table, but he also took time with my family in a meaningful and impactful way.

Whether he was addressing an issue facing South Carolina or standing up for America’s interests on the world stage, he had vision and purpose, and he used both to tackle challenges others thought impossible. He possessed a rare combination of brilliance, acumen, and wit that brought levity to some of the most difficult moments, always allowing for a brief reprieve before refocusing on what lay ahead.

This is a tremendous loss for our nation, and we’re praying for his sister, family, friends, loved ones, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His presence in the Senate cannot be replaced. He will be immensely missed."

President Trump said on Truth Social: "In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Saturday evening at 6 P.M. GOD BLESS YOU LINDSEY!"

The 71-year-old Graham spent part of Saturday evening discussing foreign policy, including Ukraine and plans for more strikes on Iran in his phone conversation with President Trump. A person who spoke to Senator Graham after the phone conversation told Graham that he did not look well and urged him to seek medical help. Graham reportedly brushed aside the concerns and said that he would seek medical attention after his scheduled Sunday morning appearance on 'Meet the Press.'

"I can't die now. I still need to do the Russian sanctions, get Iran sorted out and do Israeli-Saudi normalization," Graham reportedly joked.

Later that night a 911 call came from Graham's Washington residence seeking aid for a "cardiac arrest."

First responders arrived performed CPR and rushed him by ambulance to George Washington University Hospital.

Graham's office reported that the Senator's preliminary cause of death was "Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease."

According to the statement, "The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized, and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death."