《TAIPEI TIMES》 Graham a ‘true friend of Taiwan,’ Lai says of late US senator

/ Staff writer, with CNA President William Lai （賴清德） yesterday expressed his condolences over the...…

US Senator Lindsey Graham is pictured during a Senate Committee in Capitol Hill on April 16, 2026 in Washington. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

President William Lai （賴清德） yesterday expressed his condolences over the death of US Senator Lindsey Graham, calling the South Carolina lawmaker “a true friend of Taiwan” and an unwavering defender of freedom.

Graham, a longtime senator and close political ally of US President Donald Trump, died on Saturday night at the age of 71 after “a brief and sudden illness,” his office said in a statement.

His death came hours after he returned to the US from a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday.

“Deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Senator @LindseyGrahamSC,” Lai wrote on X. “A true friend of Taiwan, Senator Graham will always be remembered as an unwavering advocate and defender of freedom.”

In a separate statement, Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo （郭雅慧） said Lai also conveyed his deepest sympathies to Graham’s family on behalf of Taiwan.

Graham, who had served in the US Senate since 2003, had been a steadfast supporter of Taiwan, championing Taiwan-friendly legislation, the country’s participation in international organizations, stronger self-defense capabilities, and closer Taiwan-US economic and trade ties, Kuo said.

Graham visited Taiwan three times, including in 2022, when he led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Taipei in a show of support, she said.