{"id":4526,"date":"2026-07-12T21:55:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T16:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=4526"},"modified":"2026-07-12T21:55:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T16:55:21","slug":"u-s-and-world-leaders-pay-tribute-to-lindsey-graham-following-sudden-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=4526","title":{"rendered":"U.S. and world leaders pay tribute to Lindsey Graham following sudden death"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p><em>Washington \u2014 <\/em>Tributes began pouring in early Sunday as foreign leaders and American politicians reacted to the death of Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died after a <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/senator-lindsey-graham-dies-after-brief-and-sudden-illness\/\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">&#8220;brief and sudden illness&#8221; Saturday<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Graham, a four-term senator and outspoken foreign policy hawk, was 71. He passed away Saturday evening, his office announced. No further details about his death were immediately available.<\/p>\n<p>The unexpected news sent shockwaves through Washington and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>President Trump called Graham &#8220;one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!&#8221; the president said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116905798341654664\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">post<\/a> on Truth Social, adding that details and arrangements would follow.<\/p>\n<p>In an interview on NBC&#8217;s &#8220;Meet the Press,&#8221; the president said he spoke with Graham Saturday evening, for what &#8220;could have been his last call.&#8221; The president said Graham \u2014 who had just returned from a trip to Ukraine \u2014 seemed tired but &#8220;sounded great, actually.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He was like a member of the family to me,&#8221; Mr. Trump said, calling Graham &#8220;such an advocate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Vice President JD Vance, who previously served in the Senate with Graham, recalled a heated disagreement he had with Graham over Ukraine aid \u2014 followed by their cooperation on other legislation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That was Lindsey Graham. 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,&#8221; Vance <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JDVance\/status\/2076305713576509465\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wrote on X<\/a>. &#8220;We certainly had our disagreements. But I couldn&#8217;t help but like him. A one of a kind figure in our politics.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LeaderJohnThune\/status\/2076204028053045750\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> &#8220;my heart is heavy this morning to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Lindsey&#8217;s long and dedicated service in the Air Force and in Congress carried him to far-flung regions of the world,&#8221; the Republican leader said in a post on X. &#8220;He was a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe. He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said Graham &#8220;fought passionately for the Palmetto State,&#8221; adding that his &#8220;influence on the federal judiciary, our national defense, and his beloved South Carolina will be felt for generations.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The majority leader called Graham a &#8220;trusted adviser and colleague to me and many others, and numerous presidents and heads of state have relied on his counsel.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>International leaders remember Graham<\/h2>\n<p>Graham&#8217;s relationships with world leaders were on display Sunday as they paid tribute to his work and friendship.<\/p>\n<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with Graham days ago in Kyiv, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZelenskyyUa\/status\/2076230750748148175\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">called the South Carolina Republican<\/a> &#8220;a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer,&#8221; adding that &#8220;America and the world have lost a determined leader.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed,&#8221; Zelenskyy said. &#8220;We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While in Kyiv, Graham announced that lawmakers had reached an agreement with the White House on a Russian sanctions bill the president would support, perhaps Graham&#8217;s final major achievement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Graham was also a backer of the U.S.-Israel alliance and favored a hardline stance toward Iran. Early Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Graham a &#8220;great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable. He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world,&#8221; Netayahu said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/netanyahu\/status\/2076209061897334872\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">post<\/a> on X. &#8220;Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In a Sunday morning interview on Fox News, Netanyahu said he valued Graham&#8217;s &#8220;candor&#8221; and &#8220;honesty.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There was no BS. He just was so direct. And if he wanted to tell you something that you may not like, he would just do it,&#8221; the Israeli prime minister said.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli President Isaac Herzog <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Isaac_Herzog\/status\/2076263929727050200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">called Graham<\/a> a &#8220;great American patriot&#8221; and a &#8220;true friend of Israel&#8221; on X.<\/p>\n<p>NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SecGenNATO\/status\/2076246463001035247\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said <\/a>he is &#8220;so sad to learn of the sudden passing of my friend Lindsey Graham.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He was a powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance and was actively working to bring an end to Russia&#8217;s war against Ukraine,&#8221; Rutte wrote. &#8220;My thoughts are with his family, friends, and terrific team. I will miss him dearly.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/michaelgwaltz\/status\/2076261849369067706?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> he first met Graham &#8220;not as Senator, but as Colonel Graham in the Air National Guard. He insisted on spending his 3 weeks annual training in Afghanistan training Afghan Army JAG officers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;From Libya to Lebanon, no member of Congress traveled more to appreciate both the troops and bring ground truth back to legislating,&#8221; Waltz said. &#8220;Most of all, he talked about helping the people of South Carolina and that our freedoms must be defended by projecting strength. Rest easy, Patriot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Biden and Bush recognize Graham<\/h2>\n<p>Two former presidents from opposite parties \u2014 Joe Biden and George W. Bush \u2014 offered praise for the late senator on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Biden, who counted Graham as a friend during his time in the Senate, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/joebiden\/status\/2076330621287137332?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wrote on X<\/a> that they &#8220;traveled the world together&#8221; and &#8220;worked closely on many issues throughout the years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We disagreed often, and sometimes loudly,&#8221; Biden said. &#8220;Lindsey and I did agree on the profound importance of public service. Like me, he loved the Senate as an institution, even with all its flaws and complexities.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheBushCenter\/status\/2076321030809714858\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement<\/a>, Bush called Graham a &#8220;knowledgeable Senator who understood how the world works and how important America&#8217;s international engagement is to resist tyranny.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He was a kind and funny man who loved our country and loved serving it,&#8221; Bush continued. &#8220;South Carolina was fortunate to have such a committed public servant in its corner. And I was fortunate to have known Lindsey Graham.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>South Carolina governor calls Graham &#8220;irreplacable&#8221;<\/h2>\n<p>Back in South Carolina, leaders also paid tribute to Graham. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said &#8220;Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America \u2014 and a loyal and steadfast friend,&#8221; McMaster said. &#8220;We grieve with Darline, his family and his devoted staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Republican Sen. Tim Scott, Graham&#8217;s counterpart in the Senate, <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/sen-tim-scott-remembers-lindsey-grahams-role-in-building-bridges-including-with-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">said on &#8220;Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan&#8221; on Sunday<\/a><\/span>: &#8220;America certainly has lost a statesman, and I have lost a friend.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Scott pointed to Graham&#8217;s history of &#8220;building bridges&#8221; \u2014 including with Mr. Trump.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Lindsey Graham being on the phone with the president every single day was helpful, without any question,&#8221; Scott said. &#8220;The truth of the matter is, it was the bond that he forged on the golf course that made him such a powerful advocate for the president and a powerful advocate for us with the president, and so we&#8217;ll need that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Other members of the South Carolina congressional delegation remembered Graham and his long history in Congress.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He was funny. He was hard. He was smart, brilliant. And he knew how to fight,&#8221; GOP Rep. Nancy Mace said on CBS News 24\/7.\u00a0&#8220;He was just a force to be reckoned with.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Joe Wilson <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/repjoewilson\/status\/2076209318374900038?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> Graham &#8220;will always be cherished as an American Patriot,&#8221; while Rep. Ralph Norman <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ralphnorman\/status\/2076217817527967910?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">called him<\/a> &#8220;a son of South Carolina who loved our state dearly.&#8221; Rep. Russell Fry <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/russellfrysc\/status\/2076238261752582248?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> the &#8220;unexpected loss of Senator Lindsey Graham is difficult to comprehend,&#8221; calling Graham &#8220;an extraordinary public servant&#8221; and a &#8220;consequential leader.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;His legacy will be measured not only by history&#8217;s biggest moments, but by the countless lives he touched one person, one family, and one community at a time,&#8221; Fry said. &#8220;South Carolina is better because he served.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Democrats call Graham an &#8220;indispensible player&#8221;<\/h2>\n<p>Rep. James Clyburn, the South Carolina House delegation&#8217;s sole Democrat, said he and Graham had &#8220;a relationship grounded in mutual respect, even when our political differences were significant.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our political relationship was sometimes partisan and passionate, but always pleasant and productive on behalf of the people of South Carolina,&#8221; Clyburn wrote on X.<\/p>\n<p>Tributes to Graham also came from across the aisle in the Senate, as Democratic senators remembered the South Carolina Republican as a friend and noted his bipartisan work.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who partnered with Graham on a bipartisan push to introduce more intense sanctions against Russia, said Graham was &#8220;tireless in pursuing freedom for Ukraine.&#8221; He also said the late senator &#8220;listened to me and others who might have opposing views and sought to bridge our differences.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I will forever remember our last lengthy conversation this weekend, when he exulted at reaching an agreement on our Russian sanctions bill and said, &#8216;this is a big effing deal \u2013 we all did good,'&#8221; Blumenthal said. &#8220;When we last spoke, he was as enthusiastic and exuberant as I&#8217;ve ever seen him. Passing the sanctions bill right away would be a fitting tribute.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said he &#8220;was heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of my friend and colleague,&#8221; adding that &#8220;Lindsey and I disagreed on plenty over the years, but I never doubted his love for this country or his commitment to serving it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate&#8217;s No. 2 Democrat, recalled being with Graham just last week at the NATO Summit in Turkey, where he said the South Carolina Republican was &#8220;working every Senator on a strategy to end the war in Ukraine.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Lindsey was part of every important policy issue and an indispensable player in every Senate &#8216;gang,'&#8221; Durbin said. &#8220;He was a fierce Republican partisan one day and a key bipartisan ally the next.&#8221;<\/p>\n<section class=\"content__body--footer\">\n<p class=\"content__meta--contributors\">\n<p>                                  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/team\/nikole-killion\/\" class=\"byline__author__link\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">Nikole  Killion<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        contributed to this report.\n    <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>  <!-- data-recirc-source=\"queryly\" --><\/p>\n<aside class=\"component list recirculation component--type-recirculation  \">\n<p><h3 class=\"component__title\">More from CBS News<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"component__item-recirc-block\">\n<p><h3 class=\"component__title\">Go deeper with The Free Press<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<section class=\"content__body--footer\">\n      <!-- tags --><br \/>\n    <\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington \u2014 Tributes began pouring in early Sunday as foreign leaders and American politicians reacted to the death of Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died after a &#8220;brief and sudden illness&#8221; Saturday. Graham, a four-term senator and outspoken foreign policy hawk, was 71. He passed away Saturday evening, his office announced. No&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4527,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com\/hub\/i\/r\/2026\/07\/12\/d31726c5-73c0-48f1-91f1-8f5b44a128c2\/thumbnail\/1200x630\/c9cfd58d91d9d8a6bb69aa63aa4fe064\/gettyimages-2272952651.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4526","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4526"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4526\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}