Sen. Lindsey Graham died after suffering a ruptured aorta linked to long-term heart disease, according to preliminary findings released Sunday by the DC medical examiner’s office.
The initial review concluded that the 71-year-old South Carolina senator’s cause of death was “Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease,” findings that were made public by his office.
An aortic dissection is an uncommon but serious condition involving a tear in the body’s primary artery, and it most often occurs in older men, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death,” the medical examiner’s office said in its preliminary assessment.
Graham’s family had a documented history of heart disease. His father, Florence James Graham, died from a heart attack while in his late 60s.
Emergency responders were called to Graham’s Capitol Hill residence at about 8:30 p.m. after a report of someone experiencing chest pains, according to scanner audio.
Paramedics administered CPR before transporting him to George Washington University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” Graham’s office said Sunday morning in a post on X.
For more than two decades, Graham championed the peace through American strength abroad, advocating for military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq — and Iran.
He also pushed hard to back Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion — and had just returned from a trip to Kyiv hours before he died.
Graham was scheduled to appear on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” Sunday morning. Just before his death, around 7 p.m., the senator had a call with Trump.
“He sounded a little tired, but perfect, but a little bit tired,” Trump recounted to NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, noting that Graham “sounded great actually.” “He was like a member of the family to me. It’s very tough, actually.”
When Trump entered Republican politics, Graham clashed bitterly with him — as the South Carolina senator launched his own presidential bid.
At the time, Graham had been incensed at how Trump insulted his kindred spirit, late Sen. John McCain, for getting captured during the Vietnam War.
But the pair late made amends and became close allies.
