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Graham was one of the most influential, if unlikely, leaders in Trump’s Washington

By W. James Antle III

Published July 12, 2026 12:03pm ET | Updated July 12, 2026 12:03pm ET

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who died unexpectedly on Saturday at age 71, was an unlikely GOP leader in the age of President Donald Trump.

Graham could easily have become irrelevant once Trump became the unquestioned head of the Republican Party.

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Tag:

Congress Donald Trump Foreign Policy JD Vance John McCain Lindsey Graham Republican Party Senate South Carolina Washington D.C.