How politicians around the world reacted to Lindsey Graham’s death
Democrats, Republicans, and international politicians reacted to Lindsey Graham’s death.
- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died at the age of 71 from a torn aorta.
- Politicians from both parties expressed their condolences, including John Fetterman, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
- Graham was a prominent Republican, a key ally of Donald Trump, and an influential figure in foreign policy.
Following Lindsey Graham’s death, fellow Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) joined dozens of politicians from both sides of the aisle in remembering the South Carolina senator fondly.
In the early morning hours of July 12, 2026, Graham’s office announced in a statement that he had died the night before due to a ruptured main artery caused by atherosclerosis. He was 71 years old.
Mr. Graham, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, has become one of the most influential Republicans in Washington, championing the military power of foreign Americans and playing a key role in conservative efforts to reorganize the federal judiciary.
Fetterman said after his death:
Senator John Fetterman releases statement regarding Lindsey Graham’s death
Fetterman went to the X shortly after 7:45 a.m. on July 12 to issue a statement regarding Graham’s death.
“Sudden and scary news about Sen. Lindsey Graham,” Fetterman said. “The United States Senate has lost a giant of foreign policy. On a personal level, he was always kind, courteous, and thoughtful. Gisele and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and staff.”
Trump, Biden and world politicians react to Lindsey Graham’s death
Immediately after the announcement of Graham’s death, leaders around the world expressed shock at the news and remembered him fondly.
President Trump told Reuters that he spoke to Graham minutes beforehand because he was sick. He ordered the flag to be lowered in Graham’s honor.
President Trump said, “There are rumors (of cheating).” “But no, I think he had a very short illness. He was a friend of mine, a great friend of mine. It’s devastating to lose him.”
Former President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and former first lady Jill Biden were “shocked by the sudden news of his death.”
“Lindsay and I have served in Congress together for more than a decade and have worked closely on many issues over the years,” Biden said. “We traveled the world together as members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We often disagreed, sometimes loudly.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel had “lost one of its greatest friends.”
“America has lost a great patriot,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said. “I lost my dearest friend.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called Graham a “good friend and great American” in a statement shared by his office.
“I am shocked and saddened by his passing,” McConnell said, sharing an update on his health the same day after weeks of public discussion about his hospitalization. “His constituents and colleagues depend on his outspokenness, his convictions, and his boundless willingness to fight a worthy fight. He will be missed by the Senate, and Elaine and I continue to keep his family in our prayers.”
What was Lindsey Graham’s cause of death?
According to the coroner’s preliminary report, Graham died of an aortic dissection.
According to the Mayo Clinic, an aortic dissection occurs when the lining of one of the body’s major arteries tears, allowing blood to leak out. The condition can lead to complications such as stroke, organ damage and poor blood flow, and 40 percent of patients with sudden-onset aortic dissection “die instantly from complete rupture and bleeding from the aorta,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms can occur quickly and without warning.
Graham’s office said his death was due to a “short period of sudden illness.” Emergency workers performed CPR on a man in cardiac arrest at Graham’s Washington home on the night of July 11, according to public safety radio footage reviewed by USA TODAY.
Kim Helmgaard, Christopher Cann, Sarah Moniuszko, Janet Loehrke, James Powel, Xachary Schermele, Jay Stahl, Joey Garrison, and Thao Nguyen contributed to this article.
Finch Walker is a Pittsburgh Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
