US Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71 from Heart Disease After Kyiv Visit

American Senator Lindsey Graham passed away on Saturday at the age of 71 due to heart disease caused by atherosclerosis, his office confirmed to The Washington Post on Monday. Preliminary findings from the Washington medical examiner's office revealed that Graham suffered an aortic rupture linked to his cardiovascular condition. His death occurred just hours after returning from an official trip to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

US President Donald Trump told Reuters he spoke with Graham, a Republican senator, minutes before he fell ill. The conversation took place shortly before emergency teams were called to Graham's home following reports of chest pain that escalated into cardiac arrest. Trump dismissed any suspicion of foul play and noted that Graham mentioned feeling "tired" during their call. The president suggested this might have been Graham's final conversation and paid tribute to him on social media, calling him a "true American patriot." Trump also ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff until Saturday evening in his honor.