Lindsey Graham's cause of death revealed after Trump ally died following 'brief and sudden illness'

PROVO, UTAH: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham's cause of death has been revealed a day after the longtime South Carolina lawmaker and close ally of President Donald Trump died at the age of 71.

According to preliminary findings from the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Graham died from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. His office had initially announced that he died following a "brief and sudden illness."

Taylor Reidy, Graham's communications director, shared the medical examiner's preliminary findings on X on Sunday, July 12.

“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.

What caused Lindsey Graham's death?

The preliminary examination determined that Graham suffered a ruptured aorta caused by chronic heart disease, officially listed as "Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease."

His Senate office had announced his death on Saturday, saying the veteran lawmaker passed away after a "brief and sudden illness."

“Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period," the statement said.

Authorities said additional toxicology and microscopic testing will be completed before a final death certificate is issued.

Lindsey Graham had just returned from Ukraine before his death

The revelation comes just days after Graham traveled to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during what became his 10th visit to the country.

Following the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked Graham for his continued support of Ukraine, writing on X that he appreciated the senator's backing during the ongoing war with Russia.

Graham had also been scheduled to appear on NBC's ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday to discuss his Ukraine visit and his views on Iran before news of his death emerged.

President Donald Trump later said he had spoken with Graham by phone just hours before he died. "He sounded great. He said he was a little tired," Trump told NBC News, adding that Graham was "a true American patriot" who would be "greatly missed."

From Trump critic to one of his closest allies

First elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives and the US Air Force, Graham became one of Washington's most influential Republican voices on national security and foreign policy.

Although he sharply criticized Trump during the 2016 Republican primary, the two later forged a close political alliance. Graham became one of Trump's strongest defenders in Congress and remained one of his closest advisers throughout Trump's second presidency.

Before entering politics, Graham served as an Air Force lawyer and later retired from the Air Force Reserve with the rank of colonel after more than three decades of military service.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.