美国资深共和党参议员、唐纳德·特朗普的坚定盟友林赛·格雷厄姆（Lindsey Graham）于当地时间周六晚间因“短暂且突发的疾病”在华盛顿特区的寓所内不幸离世 [3][5]。据其办公室消息证实，格雷厄姆在家中突发胸痛并实施心肺复苏后心脏骤停 [2]。他享年 71 岁 [1][4]。
作为自 2003 年起代表南卡罗来纳州任职的参议员，格雷厄姆生前是共和党外交政策强硬派的核心人物，长期推动对伊朗采取军事行动并支持建立保守派最高法院 [6]。他在以色列问题上立场鲜明，被视为美国国会中以色列最有力的支持者之一；以色列国防部长发表声明哀悼其逝世，称其在以方面临困难时期始终与以色列站在一起 [1][5]。
格雷厄姆的离世在华盛顿政坛及共和党内部引发震动，多位国内外政治人物迅速发声致意。美国总统特朗普在其社交媒体平台发文，称赞格雷厄姆为“最伟大的参议员之一”、“真正的美国爱国者”，并称其为“我认识的最伟大的人之一” [2][3][4]。乌克兰总统泽连斯基表示对格雷厄姆的去世深感悲痛，并指出后者在俄罗斯全面入侵以来曾 10 次访问乌克兰 [5][6]。以色列总理内塔尼亚胡发帖称格雷厄姆是以色列“伟大的朋友”，并表示将考虑飞往美国参加葬礼 [2]。德国副总理默茨也发表声明，表示两人并肩站了四十多年 [5]。
南卡罗来纳州州长亨利·麦克马斯特（Henry McMaster）评价格雷厄姆是“不可替代的”人物，并指出该职位有权任命其继任者 [2]。此前，格雷厄姆曾计划参加今年 11 月的连任竞选 [4]。
Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican senator from South Carolina who served since 2003 [2][4], has died following a sudden illness on Saturday evening [1][2]. He was 71 years old when he passed away after experiencing chest pain and undergoing CPR before suffering cardiac arrest at his residence in Washington, D.C. [5].
Graham is widely recognized as one of Donald Trump's most steadfast allies and the strongest supporter for Israel within the U.S. Senate [1][4]. His death has sent shockwaves through Washington politics and the Republican Party [2][4]. President-elect or former President Donald Trump described Graham on Truth Social as "one of the greatest people I have ever known" and a "true American patriot" [5][6].
International leaders also paid tribute to his legacy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted that they had "no better friend than Lindsey," while considering traveling to the United States for the funeral [2]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted Graham's significant support, stating he visited Ukraine ten times during Russia's full-scale invasion and expressing deep sorrow over his loss [3][5]. German politician Friedrich Merz added that Graham "stood side by side" with them for more than four decades [5].
Graham was a prominent figure in Washington regarding foreign policy, known as an early supporter of the 2003 Iraq War and a long-time advocate for military action against Iran [1][6]. He played a key role in establishing the conservative Supreme Court and is currently working on sanctions legislation aimed at giving Trump tools to end the war with Russia [3]. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared Graham "irreplaceable" and confirmed his office has the authority to appoint a successor [2].