US Senator Lindsey Graham, Close Aide of Trump, Dies at 71

In a statement, the Office of the US Senator said Graham passed away on the evening of Saturday, July 11, following a "brief and sudden illness", India Today reported.

"On the evening of Saturday, July 11, US 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," the Office of US Senator said in a statement.

Graham, a Republican, had represented South Carolina in the US Senate since 2003 and was a prominent figure in American politics. Over the years, he served on several key Senate committees and became known for his role in national security and foreign policy debates.

A former critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, Graham later became one of Trump's most vocal supporters and a close ally within the Republican Party. He frequently backed Trump's policy positions and remained an influential voice among conservative lawmakers.

Before joining the Senate, Graham served in the US House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003 and was also a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. He had a legal background and served as a military lawyer in the US Air Force Reserve.

Graham had also entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2016 elections but withdrew from the contest before the primary voting began.