Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,
President Donald Trump said on July 14 that he was aware of the conspiracy theories surrounding Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C) sudden death but said that any FBI investigation into them would be a waste of time.
Trump was responding to a reporter’s question at the Oval Office about why FBI agents were at the senator’s residence and whether there were any updates on the possible probe into his death.
“Well, I don’t know why because I think he had a problem. His father had a very similar problem, as you know. It’s very unique,” the president said, referring to Graham’s health issues.
“I don’t see a lot of evil there. I know there’s all sorts of conspiracy theories going on and I think the FBI is wasting their time if they’re doing that.”
Graham passed away on July 11 after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”
Preliminary findings by the medical examiner suggest that Graham died from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is considered an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of his arteries, according to his office.
Trump said that Graham’s condition was difficult to detect, although he noted that the late senator had previously complained about having a “bad back.”
“I wish he took better care of himself,” the president told reporters.
“What happened is actually something that’s very hard to detect. It was not related to any blockage. It was a totally different thing.
“I’ve watched all the medical reports. I’ve had the doctors from the White House come in and explain what happened. And this is something that is very, almost undetectable. And if it happens, there’s not much you can do about it.”
The Epoch Times reached out to the FBI for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press conference in Washington on April 27, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a July 12 post on X that the FBI was “assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available,” but did not elaborate.
Graham had just returned from a trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he announced on July 10 that he and other senators had reached an agreement with the Trump administration to move forward with updated legislation on Russia sanctions.
The legislation, which Graham had been working on with fellow Republicans and Democrats for months, would impose sanctions on countries doing business with Russia, including buyers of its energy exports.
Graham, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on the same day, said the agreement meant the legislation could move forward, giving Trump fresh tools to help end the Ukraine–Russia war, which is now in its fifth year.
“We’ve reached an agreement with the White House on a version of the Russian sanctions bill that they will support. It means it’s going to become law,” he told reporters, wrapping up his 10th visit to Kyiv.
Following Graham’s passing, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced on July 13 that he had appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of the late senator’s term, which is set to expire in January 2027.