Trump Ally, Veteran US Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71

Veteran United States Senator Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican lawmaker and close ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 following a brief illness.

According to his office, Graham died on Saturday evening after suffering a ruptured aorta, just a day after returning from a visit to Ukraine where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Trump led tributes to the South Carolina senator, describing him as a true American patriot whose dedication to public service and national security would be remembered.

First elected to the Senate in 2002, Graham became one of the Republican Party’s most influential voices on foreign policy, advocating strong US support for allies and a robust military presence in global conflicts.

Although he was initially a vocal critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, Graham later became one of the President’s closest allies, supporting his administration’s policies and backing his return to the White House.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Graham as one of Israel’s strongest supporters, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States and the world had lost a determined leader.

Before entering politics, Graham served as a military lawyer in the United States Air Force after overcoming personal tragedy, including the loss of both parents at a young age while raising his younger sister.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is expected to appoint an interim senator pending the election of a successor.