US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71. A statement from Graham's office announced that the South Carolina Senator passed away Saturday night due to a cardiovascular illness stemming from arteriosclerosis. However, the preliminary examination report from the Washington DC Medical Examiner's Office stated that Graham's cause of death was an aortic dissection (aortic tear) resulting from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. US President Donald Trump told Reuters that he had spoken with Graham minutes before he fell ill, adding that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Describing Graham as a "very close friend," Trump stated, "There are rumors to that effect, but no. He had a brief illness. He had a heart attack. Losing him is devastating." Trump also ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff until Saturday night, July 18, in honor of Lindsey Graham.