South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham Dead at 71

United States Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71, his office announced late Saturday night.

The official social media page for senator Graham posted the statement on X, saying "On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness."

The statement continued ... "Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period."

It is unclear what illness Senator Graham was battling at this time. Emergency medical services responded to a call for "cardiac arrest." No additional details were initially released.

TMZ DC exclusively obtained photos of Lindsey being rushed into an ambulance while receiving life saving measures that ultimately failed.

Lindsey was sworn in as Senator in 2003. He was considered the Senate Whisperer, constantly in touch with President Trump -- who said on CNN Sunday he spoke with Lindsey a few hours before his sudden death.

Graham famously said he liked Trump a lot and Trump liked himself a lot ... so they got along well.

In his 23 years as a Senator, he reached across the aisle to work on gun reform, he, as a Republican, helped confirm two Obama Supreme Court Justice nominees, he navigated the U.S.'s complicated relationship with Ukraine, particularly over the last 18 months, and worked on comprehensive immigration reform.

Just weeks ago, he dominated in the primary election. In June, TMZ DC caught up with him as he spryly charged up the stairs of Capitol Hill ... proving himself to be the "stairmaster" of D.C. You'll have to check the clip to see the then-seventy-year-old's feats of strength and intellectualism as he talked about the UFC Freedom 250 alleged terror plots.

Senator Lindsey Graham was 71.

RIP