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Senator Lindsey Graham, influential Trump confidant, dies at 71
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡น Austria /Elections & Politics

Senator Lindsey Graham, influential Trump confidant, dies at 71

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a key figure in American foreign policy for 25 years, has died at age 71 following a heart attack.
  • Graham, initially a fierce critic of Donald Trump, became a close ally and golf partner to the former president.
  • He was known for his strong stance on foreign policy, including advocating for military action against Iran and supporting Ukraine.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican from South Carolina who significantly shaped American foreign policy over the past quarter-century, has died at the age of 71. His death, following a heart attack, occurred shortly after his 71st birthday and a trip to Ukraine.

Graham was known for his tireless engagement, recently celebrating his birthday during his tenth visit to Ukraine since the war began. He met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, delivered a speech, and pledged further aid. He was scheduled to appear on the talk show "Meet the Press" the day his death was announced.

a patriot and one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known.

โ€” Donald TrumpRemembering Senator Lindsey Graham after his death.

His political journey included a dramatic shift from being a staunch critic of Donald Trump during Trump's presidential campaign, during which Graham called him a racist, to becoming one of Trump's most influential advisors on foreign policy and a frequent golf partner. Trump remembered Graham as a patriot and "one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known."

Graham was a vocal proponent of strong U.S. foreign policy, notably advocating for military action against the Iranian regime. He was also a key figure, alongside Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, in advocating for U.S. engagement in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Iraq. Leaders worldwide, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, paid tribute to Graham's contributions.

Friend of Israel

โ€” Benjamin NetanyahuDescribing Senator Lindsey Graham's relationship with Israel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.