Senator Lindsey Graham Dies Suddenly from Aortic Dissection Linked to Heart Disease

Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, died suddenly on Saturday, July 11, at the age of 71. Initial medical findings from the Washington Medical Examiner's Office revealed that Graham suffered an aortic dissection caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He was pronounced dead at George Washington University Hospital, where he had been taken following the emergency call reporting cardiac arrest at his Capitol Hill residence.

The official death certificate will be finalized after completion of toxicology and microscopic examinations. Graham's office announced his passing on Sunday, describing the cause as a sudden illness that progressed rapidly. The family requested privacy during this difficult time. NBC reported that emergency responders received a call about Graham's cardiac arrest on Saturday evening, based on police dispatch recordings.

Graham had been scheduled to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday morning. Former President Trump noted he spoke with Graham on Saturday evening after the senator returned from a trip to Ukraine, mentioning that Graham seemed tired but was preparing for a potential meeting with Trump the next day. Trump later ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide in mourning, posting the announcement on his platform Truth Social.