Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) reportedly made a dark joke about his own mortality just hours before his death on July 11. He brushed off a suggestion to seek immediate medical attention, stating he would do so the following morning.
According to journalist Barak Ravid's report citing a source close to Graham, the senator complained of feeling unwell shortly after a phone call with President Donald Trump. When urged to seek medical help, Graham stated he would wait until Sunday morning, after his scheduled appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."
The 71-year-old senator then reportedly said, "I can't die now. I still need to do the Russia sanctions, get Iran sorted out and do Israeli-Saudi normalization." He died several hours later.
Graham's office confirmed his death on Sunday, stating the cause was aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. President Trump recalled his call with Graham that Saturday evening, describing the senator as sounding "a little tired, but perfect" during their conversation about the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. Trump remarked that the call "could have been his last call."
Graham, known for his hawkish foreign policy, transitioned from being a vocal critic of Trump to a close ally. Following his death, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of his term, which concludes in January 2027. Graham Nordone stated, "I think this is what Lindsey would have wanted, and I plan to honor him in this way."