What made US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham a controversial figure
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has died at age 71 following a brief illness. Known for his hawkish foreign policy and close ties to Donald Trump, Graham was a polarizing figure in American politics.
Why it matters
Graham's death marks the end of a significant career in the US Senate that heavily influenced American defense and foreign policy for decades.
Known for his hawkish views on US defence and foreign policies, Graham strongly supported Ukraine in its war with Russia and Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info US Senator Lindsey Graham gestures as he addresses the gala banquet of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual policy conference on March 22, 2010 in Washington, DC, the United States [File: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters] By Priyanka Shankar Published On 12 Jul 2026 12 Jul 2026 Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican senator in the United States, has died after a “brief and sudden” illness, his office said.
A foe-turned-close-ally of President Donald Trump, the 71-year-old politician represented the US state of South Carolina and was up for re-election in midterm elections in November.
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