Tributes Pour in for Sen. Lindsey Graham From President Donald Trump, DC, and the World (Updated)

By Jennifer Oliver O'Connell | 10:00 AM on July 12, 2026
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of RedState.com.
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

As RedState reported, early Sunday morning, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) passed away after a sudden, brief illness. He was 71 years old.

Graham served in the U.S. House of Representatives for eight years before being elected to the United States Senate, where he served for 23 years. Graham even ran for president during that period. So, reaction has been pouring in from a multitude of corners, from the President of the United States to world leaders, to media figures whom he interacted with on a regular basis up until the time of his death.

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Read More: Senator Lindsey Graham Passes Away at Age 71

President Donald Trump wrote a brief reaction to Sen. Graham's sudden death and confirmed that more information about arrangements would be forthcoming.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued this brief statement.

Peggy and I—and our children—are devastated. Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend. 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.

Condolences poured in from the Senate, especially his cohort, the junior Senator from South Carolina, Tim Scott (R).

South Carolina lost a statesman and I’ve lost a friend. 

My prayers are with his sister and the rest of his family. 

From his humble beginnings to the Senate floor, Lindsey always led with faith, family, and South Carolina first. 

Lindsey remained committed to public service and doing what he loved. He always introduced levity and brought wit to the most challenging moments. 

Lindsey will be missed.

As well as the Senate GOP leadership and his Senate colleagues.

My heart is heavy this morning to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham.

Lindsey’s long and dedicated service in the Air Force and in Congress carried him to far-flung regions of the world. 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.

As South Carolina’s senior senator, Lindsey fought passionately for the Palmetto State. He was a trusted adviser and colleague to me and many others, and numerous presidents and heads of state have relied on his counsel. His influence on the federal judiciary, our national defense, and his beloved South Carolina will be felt for generations.

Kimberley and I pray for Lindsey’s friends and family, and we send our heartfelt condolences during this most difficult time.

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There are no words to describe Lindsey Graham, my friend of more than three decades. There are no words to describe his impact on the foreign and domestic policy of the United States. Lindsey served his beloved country in uniform and in the House and Senate. He stood solidly for freedom and strength and he fought for liberty across the globe. Lindsey Graham can be succeeded in office but he cannot be replaced.

My heart is heavy upon learning of the passing of my friend and colleague, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

My prayers are with his family and all who knew and loved him.

I loved serving with Lindsey and will miss his infectious laugh, quick wit, and enthusiasm for life.

And from the last sane Democrat in Congress, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA).

Even Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) set his partisan rancor aside and offered this condolence.

I was heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of my friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham.

Lindsey and I disagreed on plenty over the years, but I never doubted his love for this country or his commitment to serving it. He was a fierce advocate for the causes he believed in, especially our nation’s security and the men and women of our armed forces.

But what I’ll remember just as much was Lindsey’s sense of humor. He had a quick wit, a sharp laugh, and an uncanny ability to break the tension with a well-timed joke or story. Even in the toughest moments, he never lost his ability to connect with people, and those personal relationships often mattered more to him than the political disagreements of the day.

Lisa and I are keeping Lindsey’s family, his devoted staff, the people of South Carolina, and everyone who loved him in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

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Dick Durbin (D-IL) had traveled to Türkiye with Graham for the NATO Summit and was taken aback over his sudden passing.

I was with Lindsey last week at the NATO Summit in Türkiye. At a private dinner at the Ambassador's residence, he was working every Senator on a strategy to end the war in Ukraine. Typical Lindsey.

Lindsey was part of every important policy issue and an indispensible player in every Senate 'gang'. He was a fierce Republican partisan one day and a key bipartisan ally the next.

When I was Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he was the Ranking Republican. His word was good—no cheap shots.

He knew the Dream Act was my most important bill. He was the only Republican who would cosponsor it for years. I will neer forget it.

Loretta and I send our condolences to Lindsey's family and legion of friends in South Carolina and around the world.

As a staunch advocate of Ukraine and the Iran War, and his longtime focus on foreign relations, Graham had built relationships with our nation's ambassadors and other world leaders. U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz not only reflected on his commitment to foreign relations, but also on his own military service.

I first met Lindsey 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. 

From Libya to Lebanon, no member of Congress traveled more to appreciate both the troops and bring ground truth back to legislating. 

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.

Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu appeared on Fox & Friends Weekend and gave condolences via video appearance on the network.

WATCH:

As well, as well as on X.

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Sara and I grieve with the American people over the loss of our dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham.

In our recent meeting, I said, "Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine. We have no better friend than Lindsey."

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.

Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.

Our hearts are with Lindsey's family and with the American people at this difficult time. May his values and initiatives continue to guide us toward victory and peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing.

Yair Lapid, Leader of the Opposition in the Knesset, offered these heartfelt words.

Lindsey Graham was first and foremost a friend. His warmth, humor and energy will be deeply missed.

Lindsey had unwavering moral clarity, a deep devotion to the people of Israel and a clear vision for a secure and peaceful Middle East.

My prayers are with his friends and family

After his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President left these kind words.

Good meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham @LindseyGrahamSC in Kyiv. This is already his 10th visit to our country, and we appreciate this support.

I'm grateful to Lindsey for recognizing our warriors. The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the greater the chances that diplomacy will ultimately succeed. And right now, it is important that our long-range sanctions pressure on Russia be reinforced through new sanctions steps by our partners. Lindsey briefed me on the work underway in Congress on the relevant bill. We also discussed our urgent air defense needs to protect our people. During the NATO Summit in Ankara, President Trump and I reached political agreements on licensing the production of Patriots in Ukraine. It is now crucial to implement all of this at the team level.

I thank the United States, the President, and Congress for bipartisan and consistent support from both chambers.

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Tragically followed by this note of condolence:

Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.

He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia's full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed. We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week.

A staunch advocate for bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine, in recent weeks, he had been working on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including stronger sanctions against Russia. We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders.

America and the world have lost a determined leader.

Our condolences go out to Lindsey’s family, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Exiled Iranian leader Reza Pahlavi gave this tribute.

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, a steadfast friend of the Iranian people and a proud defender of freedom.

At moments when moral clarity was required, Senator Graham stood on the right side. When friends were seldom found, he stood alongside the people of Iran in their struggle against tyranny.

He used his voice to ensure that the voices of those fighting for justice were heard in the halls of power. His support for Iran’s Lion and Sun Revolution earned him the title “Uncle Lindsey” among Iranians. He will be remembered with profound gratitude and deep respect.

We extend our deepest condolences to Senator Graham’s family, loved ones, colleagues, and the people of South Carolina and the United States.

May he rest in peace and may others carry on the fight for freedom.

Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also offered his condolences.

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Very shocked and saddened to hear of the death of US senator Lindsey Graham - a great American patriot and friend of the United Kingdom. He was a redoubtable defender of Western values and he worked tirelessly for peace in Ukraine. He will be much missed. 

RNC Chairman Joe Gruters expressed his disbelief over Graham's sudden passing in a statement from the RNC and on X. 

I am shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. For more than four decades — as an Air Force officer and a member of Congress — he served our country with honor, and as one of President Trump's closest allies in the Senate, he fought tirelessly for our military and for American leadership on the world stage. Our prayers are with his family, his friends, and his staff as they grieve this heartbreaking loss.

This Sunday, Graham was scheduled to make media appearances after his Ukraine visit. NBC Meet the Press correspondent Kristen Welker offered her condolences.

California Post opinion editor and Scott Adams biographer Joel Pollack had this to say about Graham.

British journalist and commentator Piers Morgan hearkened back to Graham's glory days of partnership and friendship with the late Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Lieberman (D/I-CT).

Sad news about Lindsey Graham. Didn’t agree with all his views, but he was a colossal figure in American public life. I once got to interview the ‘Three Amigos’ as he and fellow Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman were known. All great characters, all now sadly gone. 

RIP.

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Few senators have had the outsized impact on American and geopolitical politics as Lindsey Graham or ever will.

May he Rest in Peace. 

Update: 

Vice President JD Vance has also shared his thoughts on Graham's passing.

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.

Early in my Senate tenure, I remember getting into a shouting match with Lindsey about a Ukraine funding bill at lunch and then learning the very next day that he was pushing rail legislation I really cared about behind the scenes. 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.

Lindsey had the best sense of humor in the Senate. He loved the game of politics. He was constantly asking which races were up and down, and how he could help. As he liked to say, “I don't care if you're an isolationist or a religious fanatic, so long as you have an R next to your name, I want you to win.”

We certainly had our disagreements. But I couldn't help but like him. A one of a kind figure in our politics. I'll be praying for him and his family.

Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.

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Jennifer Oliver O'Connell

Jennifer Oliver O'Connell (As the Girl Turns) is a contributor at Redstate and other publications. Jennifer writes on Politics, Pop Culture, and the American story, with occasional detours into Reinvention, Yoga, and Food. You can read more about Jennifer's world at her As the Girl Turns website. You can also follow her on X and Facebook.

Story leads: [email protected].

Read more by Jennifer Oliver O'Connell

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DONALD TRUMP LINDSEY GRAHAM SENATE SOUTH CAROLINA UKRAINE

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