Senator Lindsey Graham called a staffer in his final moments, admitting he was experiencing chest pains and needed help, according to details revealed by Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville.
Tuberville recounted that one of his staffers was with Graham's scheduler on Saturday night when the call came. Graham reportedly told the scheduler, "Listen, I'm having chest pains. You know, I need to do something." When asked if he had called 911, Graham replied, "No, that's the reason I called you." Tuberville added that by the time the scheduler arrived, emergency services had already entered the home and were working on Graham.
The 71-year-old South Carolina senator died unexpectedly on Saturday night due to a "sudden" heart complication. His office later announced his passing, citing "a brief and sudden illness." The cause of death has since been identified as "aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease."
Hours before his medical emergency, Graham spoke with former President Donald Trump by telephone on Saturday night. During their conversation, Graham discussed his recent trip to Ukraine and meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump confided in Graham about his planned strikes on Iran, according to reports. Graham reportedly told Trump he was feeling tired but was focused on passing the SAVE America Act, which he co-sponsored.
Graham had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he visited a drone facility that was later destroyed by Russian forces. He also answered questions from the media in Kyiv just days before his death.
An unidentified individual who spoke with Graham earlier on Saturday noted that he had complained about feeling unwell. When urged to seek immediate medical attention, Graham indicated he would do so on Sunday morning after his scheduled appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." He reportedly quipped, "I can't die now. I still need to do the Russian sanctions, get Iran sorted out and do Israeli-Saudi normalization."
Emergency services received a 911 call about a "cardiac arrest" at Graham's home around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. First responders were seen attempting life-saving measures. He appeared to be intubated as EMTs transported him to George Washington University Hospital.
Graham, a close ally of former President Trump, was a prominent figure in the Senate, known for his consistent voting record supporting Trump's agenda and his staunch advocacy for Ukraine and Israel. He also advised the president on foreign policy matters concerning Russia and Iran.
The White House ordered flags to be lowered to half-mast in his honor. In accordance with Senate protocol, a black cloth was placed over Graham's desk on the Senate floor, adorned with a vase of white roses.
Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, has been appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to fill his seat on an interim basis until the end of his term. A special Republican primary election to select a nominee for the full six-year term will be held on August 11.
