Reverend Franklin Graham took a moment early Sunday to pay tribute to the life and contributions of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), following the senator’s unexpected passing.
“I was genuinely shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham yesterday. He had recently visited Ukraine and was supposed to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press this morning,” Reverend Graham shared through a social media update.
“Only God knows the total count of our days on this planet,” he remarked further:
Prior to serving over two decades in the U.S. Senate, Lindsey Graham was a U.S. House of Representatives member. He also dedicated 33 years of his life to the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of colonel upon retiring in 2015. Let us keep Senator Graham’s family in our prayers, particularly his sister Darline, whom he helped care for following the deaths of their parents. Known for his steadfast dedication to South Carolina and the nation, his absence will be deeply felt.
Senator Graham passed away late Saturday at 71, succumbing to a “brief and sudden illness,” according to a statement from his office on Sunday, as reported by the news.
He served in the U.S. Senate for over two decades and won the Republican primary in June once President Donald Trump gave him his endorsement.
In a Truth Social post around 2:00 a.m., Trump wrote “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!”
– News noted that “As one of those ‘leading the charge’ for the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act and a strong voice of support for the U.S.’s military actions against the Iranian regime, Graham was a close ally of Trump’s in 2026.”
The outlet cited police scanner audio in stating that emergency crews responded to his residence in Washington, DC, late Saturday for a report of “cardiac arrest.”
Sen. Graham had just returned from Ukraine where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “lost one of its greatest friends” in the senator, according to – News.
“America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend. Our hearts are with Lindsey’s family and with the American people at this difficult time. May his values and initiatives continue to guide us toward victory and peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing,” he stated.