Senator Lindsey Graham died of an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of the arteries, a catastrophic medical emergency, according to preliminary findings. The cause of death comes days after the South Carolina Republican publicly joked about being targeted by Iranians.
In a July 6 post on X, Graham shared an image showing a man in Tehran holding a sign with a bullseye over his face and the message: “SOONER OR LATER YOUR HEADS WILL ROLL.” The senator replied: “At least they used a good photo of me. Judge me by my enemies.” Five days later, emergency dispatch audio indicated paramedics were called to his Washington, D.C., home around 8:30 p.m. in response to a cardiac arrest. Early Sunday morning, his office said the 71-year-old died following a brief and sudden illness.
“Senator Lindsey Graham died of an aorta rupture days after joking about being targeted by Iranians.”
President Trump said he had spoken with Graham by phone shortly before his death, recalling that the senator sounded “a little bit tired” after returning from a trip to Ukraine. Graham was a forceful advocate for an assertive foreign policy, aggressively backing the war with Iran and pushing for deeper U.S. involvement in Ukraine. Once an intense Trump critic, he later became one of the president’s most prominent allies on Capitol Hill.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is “assisting local authorities” in the aftermath of Graham’s death. European leaders mourned his loss. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: “Senator Graham fought until the very end to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and raise the cost of Russia’s war of aggression.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called him “a true friend and a partner of Germany.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was “deeply saddened by the news” and that “America and the world have lost a determined leader.” Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, wrote that “Ukraine had lost a true friend.” Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “very shocked and saddened.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed their final exchange during an episode of Fox & Friends Weekend.
His death, caused by a medical emergency rather than the threats he mocked, has drawn condolences from allies across the Atlantic.
