US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, has passed away following a brief and sudden illness

Graham additionally held the position of chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

He strongly advocated for US support for Ukraine. During his latest visit to the country, Graham was focused on developing a version of the Russia sanctions bill, which he stated would provide “tools to President Trump to end this war.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his profound sorrow upon hearing the news of the senator’s passing.

In a post on his official X account, Zelenskyy noted that Graham had made ten visits to the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion and was “with our people when it was most needed.

“America and the world have lost a resolute leader,” he added.

Graham initially confronted the US president.

In 2015, he expressed to CNN that Trump was “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.” During the 2016 campaign, he took to social media to state: “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed… and we will deserve it.”

Following the US Capitol riots in 2021, Graham delivered a speech on the Senate floor where he remarked, “Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey.” I dislike that it has to conclude like this.

“All I can say is count me out.” “Enough is enough.”

However, he eventually emerged as one of his most steadfast supporters. He opposed convicting Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial and backed Trump in the 2024 election.

He stated to the BBC in 2023: “There is a dark side to Donald Trump… and he was a fantastic president.” However, I am remaining loyal to him because I witnessed his actions. He referenced Trump’s record regarding the US southern border, the assassination of Iran’s influential military commander Qasem Soleimani, and the selection of conservative judges.

Graham “consistently advocated for results in the War on Terror that safeguard our enduring national security interests,” his website stated.

He expressed strong opposition to the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021, characterizing it as a “sad and dangerous event for US national security.”

“Jihadists around the globe are rejoicing,” he added. “America will be perceived as lacking strength.”

Graham was a dedicated advocate for Israel.

Israel’s President Benjamin Netanyahu honored Graham on Sunday, stating, “Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable.”