Lindsey Graham died 'after phone call with Donald Trump' as cause of death given

One of Donald Trump’s closest allies died after a “brief and sudden” illness following a phone call with the US president.

Lindsey Graham, 71, died of aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The senator had a complicated relationship with Trump, now described as “family” however he previously labelled the president a “race-baiting bigot”.

Going against one another in the 2016 Presidential election campaign, in retaliation Trump read out Graham’s phone number to a rally.

The pair resolved their differences and Graham was one of Trump’s most vocal supporters over the war in Iran.

The former air force reserve colonel was recently described as a “war hungry dude” who had Trump’s ear by a former ally.

On Saturday night Graham’s office shared a statement that said his family “appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

The office then released further information about his cause of death.

Trump, who talked to Graham frequently, said he was “like a member of the family. It’s very tough.”

He told NBC that Graham called him on Saturday night after returning from a trip to Ukraine and “sounded a little bit tired, but perfect.”

In the call Trump said to his friend “Come over anytime you want.”

It is believed that shortly after this Graham suffered a cardiac arrest in his Capitol Hill home.

Graham was renowned for calling for US intervention overseas and for being outspoken on defence.

He led both the Senate Budget and Judiciary committees and said last month that the US would “obliterate” Iran if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

At the height of his rocky relationship with Trump, in 2015 he warned: “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed… and we will deserve it.”

But it was in 2021 that he said: “All I can say is a count me out. Enough is enough,” before burying the hatchet.

Following Graham’s death Zelensky said: “Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute to the senator: “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.”

Under South Carolina law, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Graham, who was seeking a fifth term in November.

A new nominee will be selected in a special primary, which is required to be held within weeks of a vacancy. The winner of November’s general election will start a full six-year term in January.