Lindsey Graham Dies at 71 After Brief Sudden Illness, D.C. Medical Examiner Finds Aortic Dissection

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday night at age 71 after a "brief and sudden illness," according to his office.

“Lindsey Graham, longtime senator from South Carolina and Trump ally, dies at 71 Graham died on Saturday after a "brief and sudden" illness, his office said”

ABC News

The preliminary medical findings reported by the D.C. Medical Examiner said Graham died of an "aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease," and his death certificate would remain pending until toxicology and microscopic testing were finalized.

ABC News

Graham died hours after returning from a trip to Ukraine, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, and Trump said he spoke with the senator Saturday evening.

Fox News Digital reported that emergency dispatch audio showed first responders were sent to Graham's Washington, D.C., home for a reported cardiac arrest shortly after 8 p.m. local time, with CPR in progress roughly 20 to 25 minutes after the initial dispatch.

Trump was among the first to react publicly, writing on Truth Social that "Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!"

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said he and his family were "devastated" and posted on X that Graham was "The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast friend."

Al Jazeera

The BBC reported that preliminary findings suggested Graham's death was caused by a rupture of his aorta, and Trump told NBC News that Graham "sounded great" but "a little tired."

The Guardian described the political scramble that followed, saying McMaster would appoint a new senator to serve out the remainder of Graham's term, which ends on 3 January.

Graham's death set off a process for replacing his seat, with CNN saying state law gives South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster the power to appoint a temporary replacement and that the death would "kick off a sprint primary election" to replace him on the November ballot.

“US senator and close Trump ally Lindsey Graham dies after 'brief and sudden illness' Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71”

BBC

CNN reported that officials had not announced how Graham will be replaced, but that state law appears to call for a special primary election on August 11, with a possible runoff on August 25.

The BBC said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster now has the power to appoint a temporary replacement until the end of his current term in January, and that the successor will be chosen in November's midterm elections.

With Republicans already under stress in the Senate due to the absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell after he was hospitalized, CNN said McMaster's appointment should restore the 53-47 GOP advantage in the chamber.