Lindsey Graham, Who ‘Never Met a War He Didn’t Want to Send Your Kids to,’ Dies at 71
“Lindsey Graham will forever be remembered as an enabler of a regime that has murdered people, destroyed democratic norms, and caused irreparable harm to this country. What a horrific legacy,” said one critic.
Brad Reed
Jul 12, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the most relentless proponents for using US military force overseas, died on Saturday night at the age of 71.
In a statement posted on Graham’s (R-SC) social media account, the senator’s office said that he “passed away from a brief and sudden illness.”
“Sen. Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time,” the office added, “and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
During his life, Graham advocated either starting or getting involved in multiple wars across the world, and he was reportedly instrumental in convincing President Donald Trump to launch an illegal attack on Iran without any authorization from the US Congress.
Although Graham was once a Trump critic—he infamously declared in 2016 that the Republican Party would get “destroyed” if it made the former Celebrity Apprentice host its presidential nominee—the South Carolina Republican grew to become one of the president’s staunchest allies.
Some critics of Graham reacted to his death by rehashing what they considered to be his least admirable traits.
David Dayen, executive editor of The American Prospect, remarked that Graham “never met a war he didn’t want to send your kids to.”
Alejandra Caraballo, clinical instructor at the Harvard Law School Cyberlaw Clinic, also reflected on Graham’s lifetime of war mongering.
“You can say a lot about Lindsey Graham,” Caraballo wrote, “but at least he got to see the thing he most wanted before he died, bombing school children in Iran.”
Princeton historian Kevin Kruse predicted that Graham would leave behind a decidedly poor legacy.
“When Lindsey Graham appears in a history book,” wrote Kruse, “it’ll be his prediction in 2016 that the Republican Party would be destroyed for supporting Donald Trump and then a few lines about how he proved it by becoming Trump’s toady. That’s pretty much it. That’s his legacy. Pathetic lickspittle.”
Steve Schmidt, a former Republican strategist who left the party due to its embrace of Trump, wrote that Graham was “a simple, tragic man” who “lacked a moral core.”
“The great empty spaces of his life were filled with an insatiable need for ‘relevance,’” Schmidt observed. “He found it as a cast member in the most malignant reality show ever made.”
Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, had a similar analysis of Graham’s character.
“Lindsey Graham supported the International Criminal Court when it charged [Russian President Vladimir] Putin but turned on it when it charged [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu,” wrote Roth. “Principled, he wasn’t.”
Nicholas Grossman, professor of international relations at the University of Illinois, wrote that Graham “spent the last decade of his life in public service... trying hard to be remembered as an enemy of the Constitution who worked to destroy American democracy.”
Grossman added that Graham “exhibited occasional signs that he knew why that was bad but kept doing it anyway.”
Ruth Zakarin, CEO of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, offered a grim assessment of the late senator.
“Lindsey Graham will forever be remembered as an enabler of a regime that has murdered people, destroyed democratic norms, and caused irreparable harm to this country,” wrote Zakarin. “What a horrific legacy.”
“I don’t care about any other part of him: his choices caused mass death. That’s it,” said one critic.
Brad Reed
Jul 12, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
Hours after Sen. Lindsey Graham unexpectedly died on Saturday, many of his Democratic colleagues in the US Senate posted statements on their social media pages paying tribute to the South Carolina Republican.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said that he would most remember Graham (R-SC) for his “his sense of humor and how he deployed it to move his policy positions forward.”
“Though we did not often agree,” Schiff added, “Senator Graham was never disagreeable.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) similarly said of Graham that “even though we disagreed on much, he was always willing to negotiate, with humor and wit,” adding “my heart goes out to his loved ones.”
Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) said he was “saddened” to hear of news of Graham’s death, which he said came “as a real shock.”
“I’m grateful I had the chance to work with Lindsey,” said Kim, “including several international trips working on foreign policy.”
However, many critics argued that these tributes to Graham overlooked his destructive legacy in public office, including his decades of war mongering and his slavish devotion to the authoritarian President Donald Trump.
“I don’t give a fuck that Graham used to be friends with Democratic senators,” wrote Thomas Lecaque, associate professor of history at Grand View University. “He was a bloodthirsty bastard who cheered the killing of Muslims and sold his soul to the fascists to be able to push it more effectively. I don’t care about any other part of him: his choices caused mass death. That’s it.”
Princeton historian Kevin Kruse, responding directly to Schiff’s post, reminded him of Graham’s behavior during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings when he “threw an angry tantrum in defense of a SCOTUS nominee credibly accused of rape.”
“Did you all have a good collegial chuckle over that?” Kruse asked.
Brandon Friedman, co-founder of the Rakkasan Tea Company and a veteran of the Iraq War, also responded directly to Schiff.
“What I’ll remember most about Senator Graham,” Friedman wrote, “is how he sent my friends to die in an unnecessary war in Iraq.”
Jen Rubin, editor-in-chief of The Contrarian and former columnist for The Washington Post, described the Democrats’ tributes to Graham as “nauseating” and “everything that is wrong” with the US Senate.
Nicholas Grossman, professor of international relations at the University of Illinois, said the Democrats’ statements were just one more signal of weakness from the party.
“The Democratic Party’s approval rating is in the toilet,” Grossman wrote, “and the main reason is voters see Dem leaders and prominent members acting like things are basically okay instead of fighting like there’s an emergency. Slot ‘my friend Lindsey Graham, so funny, how great to work with him’ comments into that.”
Cartoonish Eli Valley was apoplectic about Democrats’ fawning hagiography of their late Republican colleague.
“That Democrats see mass-murdering fascists dismantling the country as nothing more than ‘colleagues they dislike’ is why we’ve been in a non-stop plummet,” Valley wrote. “Incredible this is still debatable, by people who ostensibly oppose fascism, ten years into this?!?”
Political consultant Jamison Foser wrote a parody of the Democrats’ statements that imagined them paying tribute to none other than Satan.
“Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of my dear friend Satan, the Prince of Lies,” wrote Foser. “Though we often disagreed about matters such as the appropriate role of torture in the afterlife, I will most remember how his quick wit and affable nature made our weekly golf outings a ritual. He will be missed.”
Lindsey Graham's death reverberates around the globe: 'Certainly won’t miss him'
Robert Davis
July 12, 2026
Robert Davis
July 12, 2026
RAW STORY
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) looks on during a news conference calling to designate Russia as state sponsor of terrorism, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, U.S., September 14, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) sudden death reverberated across the globe on Sunday as world leaders reacted to the news.
Graham died late Saturday night after a "brief and sudden illness," according to his office. It is believed that Graham suffered from cardiac arrest before his death.
President Donald Trump described the late Senator as "one of the greatest people and Senators that I have ever known."
Leaders of American-allied nations reacted to the news on Sunday, offering condolences to Graham's family and colleagues. However, the mercurial senator's death also sparked a more terse reaction from America's enemies, particularly inside the Kremlin.
"He worked tirelessly to strengthen sanctions, in close coordination with the E.U.," Ursula von der Leyen, the E.U. commission president, remembered in a post on X. "A determined and fearless leader. He will be deeply missed."
"Throughout his career, he stood resolutely in defense of democracy and freedom, most recently and particularly with Ukraine and its people," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X. "I offer my condolences to Senator Graham’s family, friends, and all those who served alongside him."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, also thanked Graham for his staunch advocacy for Ukrainians defending their country against Russian aggression.
"We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders," Zelenskyy noted in a post on X. "America and the world have lost a determined leader."
Graham's death sparked a much different message inside Russia's Kremlin and among the Putin regime's propagandists, The Daily Beast reported.
Alexey Pushkov, a Russian lawmaker who represents Putin's party, called Graham "bloodthirsty" in a Telegram post shortly after his death, according to the report.
Kremlin propagandist Sergei Mardan added that the Russian people "certainly won't miss him," the report added.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) looks on during a news conference calling to designate Russia as state sponsor of terrorism, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, U.S., September 14, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) sudden death reverberated across the globe on Sunday as world leaders reacted to the news.
Graham died late Saturday night after a "brief and sudden illness," according to his office. It is believed that Graham suffered from cardiac arrest before his death.
President Donald Trump described the late Senator as "one of the greatest people and Senators that I have ever known."
Leaders of American-allied nations reacted to the news on Sunday, offering condolences to Graham's family and colleagues. However, the mercurial senator's death also sparked a more terse reaction from America's enemies, particularly inside the Kremlin.
"He worked tirelessly to strengthen sanctions, in close coordination with the E.U.," Ursula von der Leyen, the E.U. commission president, remembered in a post on X. "A determined and fearless leader. He will be deeply missed."
"Throughout his career, he stood resolutely in defense of democracy and freedom, most recently and particularly with Ukraine and its people," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X. "I offer my condolences to Senator Graham’s family, friends, and all those who served alongside him."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, also thanked Graham for his staunch advocacy for Ukrainians defending their country against Russian aggression.
"We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders," Zelenskyy noted in a post on X. "America and the world have lost a determined leader."
Graham's death sparked a much different message inside Russia's Kremlin and among the Putin regime's propagandists, The Daily Beast reported.
Alexey Pushkov, a Russian lawmaker who represents Putin's party, called Graham "bloodthirsty" in a Telegram post shortly after his death, according to the report.
Kremlin propagandist Sergei Mardan added that the Russian people "certainly won't miss him," the report added.
Outrage as Trump and Netanyahu accused of using Lindsey Graham’s death to promote agendas
Alexander Willis
July 12, 2026
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embrace as they walk into Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
In the hours after Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) sudden death Saturday night, both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to cable news to highlight the late senator's support for their own political priorities, sparking a swift and immediate backlash from critics.
Trump called into NBC News, Sunday to champion Graham’s support for the SAVE Act, his controversial voter ID bill that has stalled in the Senate, much to Trump’s frustration. Trump claimed that Graham “wanted to pass the SAVE Act” and that his death was a “big blow” to the bill.
Over on Fox News, Netanyahu recalled what he called his “last conversation” with Graham, who he said was "so concerned with [Israel's] security" that he pushed Netanyahu to support "increasing" U.S. aid to Israel.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) also took to Fox News Sunday morning to push for the passage of the SAVE Act, telling Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that “one of the best ways we can honor Lindsey Graham’s legacy would be to pass [the SAVE Act] this month.”
Brett Meiselas, one of the co-founders of the progressive media organization MeidasTouch, reacted to Trump and Netanyahu’s commentary with contempt.
“All these cretins jumping at his death to push their political goals,” Meiselas wrote in a social media post on X to his nearly 275,000 followers. “[Netanyahu] jumps to pushing for military aid for Israel. Trump immediately says Lindsey would have wanted the SAVE Act passed. A bunch of sickos.”
Meiselas’ colleague, Ron Filipkowski, the editor-in-chief for MeidasTouch, concurred with Meiselas’ critique.
“What a surprise that Netanyahu says his last conversation with Lindsey was that he wanted US military aid to Israel to continue forever,” Filipkowski wrote in a social media post on X to his more than 1 million followers.
Duncan Smith, a sports journalist and contributor to The Athletic Detroit, offered a blunt take on Trump's remarks.
“Lindsey did all that groveling and this is how Trump will remember him,” Smith wrote in a social media post on X.
Alexander Willis
July 12, 2026
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embrace as they walk into Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
In the hours after Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) sudden death Saturday night, both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to cable news to highlight the late senator's support for their own political priorities, sparking a swift and immediate backlash from critics.
Trump called into NBC News, Sunday to champion Graham’s support for the SAVE Act, his controversial voter ID bill that has stalled in the Senate, much to Trump’s frustration. Trump claimed that Graham “wanted to pass the SAVE Act” and that his death was a “big blow” to the bill.
Over on Fox News, Netanyahu recalled what he called his “last conversation” with Graham, who he said was "so concerned with [Israel's] security" that he pushed Netanyahu to support "increasing" U.S. aid to Israel.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) also took to Fox News Sunday morning to push for the passage of the SAVE Act, telling Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that “one of the best ways we can honor Lindsey Graham’s legacy would be to pass [the SAVE Act] this month.”
Brett Meiselas, one of the co-founders of the progressive media organization MeidasTouch, reacted to Trump and Netanyahu’s commentary with contempt.
“All these cretins jumping at his death to push their political goals,” Meiselas wrote in a social media post on X to his nearly 275,000 followers. “[Netanyahu] jumps to pushing for military aid for Israel. Trump immediately says Lindsey would have wanted the SAVE Act passed. A bunch of sickos.”
Meiselas’ colleague, Ron Filipkowski, the editor-in-chief for MeidasTouch, concurred with Meiselas’ critique.
“What a surprise that Netanyahu says his last conversation with Lindsey was that he wanted US military aid to Israel to continue forever,” Filipkowski wrote in a social media post on X to his more than 1 million followers.
Duncan Smith, a sports journalist and contributor to The Athletic Detroit, offered a blunt take on Trump's remarks.
“Lindsey did all that groveling and this is how Trump will remember him,” Smith wrote in a social media post on X.
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