OAN Staff Addie Davis and Lillian Mann
Sunday, July 12, 2026
UPDATE: 5:06 PM: The office of United States GOP Senator Lindsey Graham released an update regarding the senator’s sudden death, following a preliminary examination by the Washington, D.C., Medical Examiner’s Office.
“The preliminary examination findings were: Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease,” the statement read. “The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death.”
11:38 AM: President Donald Trump announced that he was ordering flags to be flown at half-staff across the country in honor of United States Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on Saturday.
“In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Saturday evening at 6 P.M. GOD BLESS YOU LINDSEY!” the president posted to Truth Social on Sunday.
Long-time South Carolina Senator Graham (R-S.C.) distinguished himself as influential in foreign policy and a key ally of Trump, despite also running a campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential primary.
He served as the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and had positions on several other committees.
The governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster (R-S.C.), will appoint a temporary replacement to finish out Graham’s term, according to state law.
NBC News reported on the process for an election in order to replace Graham. Candidates can file to run for the seat beginning on July 21st, and a special Republican primary election will be held on August 11th.
In June, Graham won the Republican nomination for reelection and was set to face off against Democrat candidate Annie Andrews in the November general election.
8:30 AM: United States Senator Lindsey Graham has died “from a brief and sudden illness,” his office said.
Graham (R-S.C.), 71 years old, passed away on Saturday evening, the office said in a statement.
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement read.
Numerous lawmakers and officials recognized the senator’s passing, including President Donald Trump, who referred to him as “a true American Patriot” in a Sunday Truth Social post.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot,” the president stated. “Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!”
While speaking on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday morning, Trump said he had spoken with Graham, who had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, on Saturday evening, noting that he “could have been his last call.”
“What makes it even stranger is that I got a call last night sometime in, you know, the early evening, maybe in the sevens. And he called and he said, ‘We’re all set for the SAVE America Act.’ He was pushing the Save America Act like crazy. He got back, said he just landed from Ukraine…he sounded a little tired, but perfect, but a little bit tired,” Trump said.
“We thought maybe we might even meet today. And then that was it. And that was, you know, very around the time, it couldn’t have been much longer. I don’t know, it could have been his last call. I don’t know exactly, but I got a message about 1:00 in the morning from one of the people in his office that he had passed away. I said, ‘I just can’t believe it.’ He was like a member of the family to me. It’s very tough, actually,” he continued.
Steering the conversation to focus on Graham, the president made it clear he wanted to recognize the senator’s legacy.
“I want to honor the life of Lindsey Graham, so I don’t want to talk about it,” he said when asked about Iran. “I told you that before the call…I want to talk about one person today: Lindsey Graham.”
NBC News reported that emergency responders went to a call for “cardiac arrest” at Graham’s home in the capital on Saturday night.
Graham has served in the Senate since 2003 and won his state’s Republican primary for reelection in June.
His Democrat opponent for the November general election, Dr. Annie Andrews released a statement about his death, asking South Carolina’s constituents to set aside partisanship to thank Graham for his many years of service to The Palmetto State.
“My deepest condolences are with the family of Senator Lindsey Graham, his friends, his devoted staff, and all who are grieving this sudden and tremendous loss,” she said.
“From his small-town South Carolina roots to the halls of the U.S. Senate, he was a man of great faith who proudly served our nation as a JAG officer and Air Force colonel,” she continued.
Vice President JD Vance also posted a statement on the Senator’s passing, noting that although they had their disagreements, 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,” Vance said.
“He fought like hell for the things he believed in, and he was just as willing to go to bat for you when it counted,” the vice president added.
Graham’s colleague from Pennsylvania, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) also offered his condolences for the late senator’s loved ones.
“Sudden and awful news about Senator Lindsey Graham. The United States Senate lost a foreign policy giant. On a personal level, he had always been kind, gracious, and thoughtful,” Fetterman said.
“Gisele and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and staff,” he added.
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