President Donald Trump released a statement on social media reacting to the news of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death.“He was always working, and was a true American Patriot,” Trump posted, calling the senator “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.”Graham died at age 71 after a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said. The president said details and arrangements will follow.A Republican, Graham served in the Senate starting in 2002. He was reelected for every term since then.During and after a brief presidential run in 2016, Graham sparred with the president, writing on Twitter, “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed…….and we will deserve it.”After Trump was elected for his first term and the two met, however, Graham grew to become one of the president’s staunchest allies, supporting his initiatives and defending him during controversies. The two golfed together and spoke frequently.Graham explained this change in a 2018 interview with the Associated Press, saying former Sen. John McCain taught him that the country must move forward after elections and that “you have an obligation” to help the president. Though he made a statement suggesting he was breaking with the president in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, Graham ultimately voted against convicting Trump at the impeachment trial for incitement of an insurrection that followed. Graham had helped arrange Trump’s lead lawyer, who was from South Carolina, for the trial.Trump endorsed Graham in the March Republican primary, calling him a “wonderful friend” who “WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.” “Mr. President, when you endorsed me early on it changed everything,” Graham said in his victory speech.Henry McMaster, the South Carolina governor, also issued a statement on Graham’s death.”The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend,” McMaster wrote. “May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.”Under South Carolina state law, the governor appoints a temporary replacement to fill a vacant Senate seat until the next general election in the state.Senate Majority Leader John Thune mourned the news, writing, “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 strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe.”Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Graham visited Ukraine 10 times during the years of the war with Russia.“Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer,” Zelenskyy said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, called him “a great friend of Israel” and “a cherished friend of mine.” “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu said.
President Donald Trump released a statement on social media reacting to the news of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death.
“He was always working, and was a true American Patriot,” Trump posted, calling the senator “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.”
Graham died at age 71 after a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said.
The president said details and arrangements will follow.
A Republican, Graham served in the Senate starting in 2002. He was reelected for every term since then.
During and after a brief presidential run in 2016, Graham sparred with the president, writing on Twitter, “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed…….and we will deserve it.”
After Trump was elected for his first term and the two met, however, Graham grew to become one of the president’s staunchest allies, supporting his initiatives and defending him during controversies. The two golfed together and spoke frequently.
Graham explained this change in a 2018 interview with the Associated Press, saying former Sen. John McCain taught him that the country must move forward after elections and that “you have an obligation” to help the president.
Though he made a statement suggesting he was breaking with the president in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, Graham ultimately voted against convicting Trump at the impeachment trial for incitement of an insurrection that followed. Graham had helped arrange Trump’s lead lawyer, who was from South Carolina, for the trial.
Trump endorsed Graham in the March Republican primary, calling him a “wonderful friend” who “WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.”
“Mr. President, when you endorsed me early on it changed everything,” Graham said in his victory speech.
Henry McMaster, the South Carolina governor, also issued a statement on Graham’s death.
“The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend,” McMaster wrote. “May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.”
Under South Carolina state law, the governor appoints a temporary replacement to fill a vacant Senate seat until the next general election in the state.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune mourned the news, writing, “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 strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Graham visited Ukraine 10 times during the years of the war with Russia.
“Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer,” Zelenskyy said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, called him “a great friend of Israel” and “a cherished friend of mine.”
“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu said.
