Senator Lindsey Graham has passed away from a ruptured aorta linked to chronic heart disease, based on preliminary findings released by the Washington, D.C., medical examiner’s office on Sunday.
The investigation indicates that the 71-year-old South Carolina senator suffered from “aortic dissection due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” as reported by his office.
This rare condition involves tears in major arteries and is more commonly seen in older men, according to sources like the Mayo Clinic.
On Saturday night, paramedics responded to the Capitol after a report of someone experiencing chest pains was communicated through scanner audio.
Emergency teams administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation before rushing him to George Washington University Hospital, where he was later declared dead.
The death certificate is pending additional toxicology and microscopic tests. Once those are complete, it will be updated to accurately reflect the cause and manner of death, the medical examiner’s office stated.
Graham’s family has a notable history of heart issues; his father, Florence James Graham, suffered a heart attack in his late 60s.
According to Graham’s office, “On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham passed away after a brief and sudden illness. His family appreciates your prayers during this challenging time and asks for privacy.”
Having served for over two decades, Graham was an advocate for American strength on the global stage and frequently supported military actions in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran. He was also actively involved in backing Ukraine against Russian aggression, having returned from a trip to Kiev just hours before his death.
Ironically, he was scheduled to be on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” Sunday morning. Just before his passing, he had a phone call with former President Trump. Trump commented on NBC News that while Graham sounded a bit tired, his voice was “actually great.” He expressed his sorrow, stating, “He was like a family member to me. It’s really hard.”
During earlier years in Republican politics, Graham had notable tensions with Trump, particularly around the time of his presidential run. Graham was upset over Trump’s comments about the late Sen. John McCain, yet they eventually reconciled and formed a strong alliance.
