Lindsey Graham's Preliminary Cause of Death Revealed After Senator Dies at 71
The preliminary cause of Lindsey Graham's death has been revealed following the senator's sudden passing at age 71.
July 12 2026, Published 5:23 p.m. ET
The preliminary cause of Senator Lindsey Graham's sudden death has been shared after the longtime South Carolina lawmaker died at the age of 71, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
According to the District of Columbia medical examiner's office, an initial investigation determined Graham died from "Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease."
Preliminary Findings Released
The D.C. medical examiner said Lindsey Graham died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the body's main artery, known as the aorta.
The condition is considered a medical emergency and is most commonly seen in older men, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Despite the preliminary findings, the investigation into Graham's death is not yet complete.
"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.
Family Confirms Sudden Death
Lindsey Graham's family confirmed the senator died on July 11.
In the family's initial statement released on July 12, Graham's office announced: "On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness."
The statement continued: "Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period."
The veteran South Carolina lawmaker served in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades and became one of President Donald Trump's closest political allies in Washington.
Emergency Response Captured on Camera
Exclusive photos showed the moment the senator was wheeled out of his home.
Exclusive photos, first obtained by TMZ, show Graham being wheeled out of his Capitol Hill residence on the evening of July 11 as emergency medical personnel rushed him to a waiting ambulance.
In the images, the senator appears to be intubated while first responders worked to stabilize him before transporting him to a local hospital.
According to NBC News, police scanner audio indicated emergency crews were dispatched to Graham's home for a reported cardiac arrest.
The D.C. Fire and EMS Department declined to release additional details about the medical emergency, citing federal privacy laws.
Trump Reveals Their Final Conversation
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Donald Trump revealed that he spoke with Lindsey Graham only hours before he died.
On July 12, Trump shared that he spoke with Graham just hours before the senator's death.
"He actually said he was tired, but he wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, 'Well, we're going to get it done, Lindsey. We're going to get it done. I'll see you, like, soon,'" the president recalled during an interview on NBC's Meet the Press.
Trump said Graham also discussed his recent trip to Ukraine and sounded tired from his overseas travel but otherwise gave no indication that anything was seriously wrong.
Before returning to Washington, Graham had traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 10.
"Other than being tired, he was fine," Trump said, later adding that he believed the senator's passing was "a quick end, and maybe that's not the worst way to go."
Trump also paid tribute to his longtime ally on social media, writing: "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!!!"
