World Leaders Pay Tribute To Senator Lindsey Graham Following His Sudden Death
on Jul 12, 2026
On Saturday (July 11), South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham passed away suddenly at the age of 71.
Graham spent more than 30 years in public service, representing South Carolina in Congress from 1995 until 2026. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003 before being elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until his death. Outside of politics, Graham also served in the U.S. Air Force and the South Carolina Air National Guard. He retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2015 with the rank of colonel.
Graham briefly sought the Republican nomination for president during the 2016 election cycle but suspended his campaign in December 2015 as Donald Trump and several other candidates pulled ahead in the race before the primary elections.
U.S. & World Leaders Remember South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham
President Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday (July 12) writing, “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!”
Read Trump’s full statement below.
Graham was a devoted supporter of Donald Trump in his final years.
In addition to Trump, many other United States and world leaders paid tribute to the late politician.
Vice President JD Vance remembered Graham, saying that although the two disagreed on some things, he couldn’t “help but like him.”
Lindsey Graham came from humble beginnings and became one of the most powerful lawmakers in the most powerful nation on Earth. His story was a fundamentally American one.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) July 12, 2026
Early in my Senate tenure, I remember getting into a shouting match with Lindsey about a Ukraine funding…
Senate Majority Leader John Thune also reflected on his friendship with the South Carolina Senator, sharing that his influence would be remembered for “generations.”
My heart is heavy this morning to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham.
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) July 12, 2026
Lindsey’s long and dedicated service in the Air Force and in Congress carried him to far-flung regions of the world. He was a strong advocate for the United States and a…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with Graham just days prior to his passing, explained that the senator was “a true defender of freedom.”
Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 12, 2026
He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia's full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it… pic.twitter.com/7oE2F5ZDAy
