South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a prominent voice on foreign policy, reportedly expressed a desire to postpone receiving medical assistance until after his scheduled appearance on NBC’s "Meet the Press." Graham died at the age of 71 following a "brief and sudden illness."
According to Axios, Graham informed an individual that he was feeling unwell but intended to wait until after his television interview to seek medical attention. During this conversation, which may have been his last, Graham reportedly stated, "I can't die now. I still need to do the Russia sanctions, get Iran sorted out and do Israeli-Saudi normalization."
Graham’s office released a preliminary cause of death indicating he died from "aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease." Aortic dissection, a tear in the inner wall of the aorta, is a critical medical emergency. The death certificate remains pending, awaiting final toxicological and microscopic testing.
Former President Donald Trump indicated he believed he might have been the last person to speak with Graham before his passing. "I just can't believe it," Trump told "Meet the Press," describing Graham as "like a member of the family."
Before his death, Graham had been actively engaged in foreign policy initiatives. He had recently returned from Ukraine, advocating for sanctions against Russia. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who had traveled with Graham, stated that passing their Russia sanctions package would be a fitting memorial to his legacy and his commitment to an independent and secure Ukraine.
Another key priority for Graham was facilitating normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. His death leaves a vacancy in the Senate, prompting discussions about the upcoming special primary election in South Carolina to fill his seat. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint someone to serve the remainder of Graham's term.