Trump Says FBI 'Wasting Their Time' Chasing Graham Death Conspiracy Theories

The medical examiner's office has released a preliminary finding that Sen. Lindsey Graham died of an aortic dissection, a tear in the wall of the aorta. On Tuesday, President Trump directly addressed the swirl of online speculation about Graham's death.

Asked in the Oval Office why the FBI was involved in the matter, Trump said he didn't know, adding "I think the FBI's wasting their time if they're doing that" — referring to any investigation into conspiracy theories, according to CBS News. FBI Director Kash Patel had said Sunday only that the bureau was "assisting local authorities," without elaborating.

Trump pointed to Graham's family history, noting the senator's father died of a heart attack at 69. "Well, I don't know why, because I think, you know, he had a problem," Trump said. "His father had a very similar problem, as you know." He added that Graham's condition was "very hard to detect" and that he wished Graham "took better care of himself."

Multiple sources told CBS News that Graham had complained of chest pains shortly before his death Saturday night. That detail lines up with the medical examiner's preliminary conclusion that Graham, 71, suffered a tear in his aorta linked to hardening of his arteries — a finding his office released before an official cause of death is confirmed pending toxicology and microscopic testing.

The conspiracy theories Trump was responding to

The speculation Trump dismissed had been circulating widely on social media since the weekend, according to PBS News. Posts falsely accused Russia, Iran, Ukraine and Israel of assassinating Graham, tying his death to his hawkish record and a Ukraine trip he had just completed.

One widely shared post on X argued that because Graham inspected a drone factory in Ukraine and Russia struck that facility the same day, "there is a decent chance that Russia blew up Lindsey Graham." Another post invoked Israel's Mossad, calling Graham "the shadow of Trump" and suggesting his death was a warning. Other posts claimed his travel schedule made it physically impossible for him to have died in Washington, or treated FBI involvement as proof of foul play.

Why the FBI was involved at all in a case where local authorities and a medical examiner were already handling the death of a sitting senator remains unclear. Patel's brief statement that the bureau was "assisting local authorities" didn't specify what that assistance entailed, leaving room for speculation the White House and CBS News reporting are now trying to close down. No investigation into criminal wrongdoing has been announced by any agency, and no evidence supporting the foreign-assassination claims has been presented in any of the reporting reviewed here.

Where the facts actually stand

Graham was a leading foreign policy hawk who had just returned from Ukraine, where he'd struck an agreement with the Trump administration on a new package of Russia sanctions, according to PBS News. He'd also been one of the most vocal advocates for U.S. confrontation with Iran and a staunch backer of Israel's position in Gaza, making him in the eyes of some online a plausible target for a foreign power.

None of that amounts to evidence. The medical examiner's preliminary finding attributes his death to a specific, identifiable cardiovascular condition, not trauma or poisoning. Toxicology and microscopic testing are still pending before a final cause of death is issued.

What actually happened Tuesday on the Senate side

The same day Trump made his comments, Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham's sister, was sworn in by the Senate to fill the remainder of his term. Governor Henry McMaster appointed her Monday, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he expects her to "carry on Lindsey's tireless service to South Carolina." A special primary election to fill the seat on a permanent basis is set to open its filing period July 21, with the primary itself scheduled for Aug. 11.

The unresolved piece of this story is the toxicology report. Until that's released, the official cause of death remains preliminary, and the president's public dismissal of the FBI's involvement doesn't answer why the bureau assisted local authorities in the first place. No source reviewed here has detailed what that assistance actually involved.