US senator Lindsey Graham dies aged 71

{"text":[[{"start":7.3,"text":"US senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most influential and hawkish Republicans in Congress, has died at the age of 71 after a brief illness."}],[{"start":16.7,"text":"Graham represented South Carolina in Congress for more than 30 years — including holding a seat in the Senate since 2003 — and was standing for re-election in November’s midterms. He was also chair of the Senate budget committee."}],[{"start":30.049999999999997,"text":"His office said in a statement released on social media site X: “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.”"}],[{"start":47.699999999999996,"text":"In a statement posted on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said: “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!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!”"}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":68.05,"text":"For a big part of his Senate career, Graham was an ally and friend to the late Arizona senator John McCain, a severe critic of Trump during his first term as president. Both shared similar conservative views on domestic policy and hawkish positions on foreign affairs — and a willingness at times to buck their own party."}],[{"start":87.25,"text":"When Trump began his campaign for president in 2015, Graham blasted him as “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” who should “go to hell”. "}],[{"start":97.45,"text":"But after Trump won, Graham remade himself into a formidable Trump ally and confidant. "}],[{"start":103.75,"text":"The transformation of the South Carolina senator from a lawmaker who warned of Trump’s “complete lack of understanding” about global politics into one of the most skilled Trump whisperers on Capitol Hill drew both praise and criticism."}],[{"start":117.95,"text":"A military veteran who made frequent visits to US troops stationed overseas, Graham had recently urged Trump to aggressively pursue the war on Iran and take a hard line in negotiations with Tehran. Graham was particularly close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Sunday that Israel had lost “one of its greatest friends”. "}],[{"start":139.85,"text":"“Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable,” Netanyahu wrote on X. "}],[{"start":145.95,"text":"This week Graham was one of a group of senators who struck a deal with the White House on legislation to pile economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine."}],[{"start":155.2,"text":"Graham had returned from a trip to Ukraine shortly before his death. On Friday, he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Video of the meeting published by Zelenskyy’s office showed the men greeting each other warmly and talking inside the presidential office."}],[{"start":169.85,"text":"Zelenskyy said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” by the news of Graham’s death, calling him “a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer”. "}],[{"start":178.9,"text":"“He visited Ukraine 10 times during the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed,” the Ukrainian president said. “We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week.”"}],[{"start":196.6,"text":"Congressman Michael McCaul of Texas told the FT on Saturday at Kyiv’s Hilton Hotel, where he and Graham were staying, that the two men had discussed the new Russian sanctions bill that they would introduce once they returned to Washington. Graham had been due to appear on NBC for an interview on Sunday."}],[{"start":214.25,"text":"Additional reporting by Christopher Miller in Kyiv"}],[{"start":223.85,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1783863443_3983.mp3"}