Franklin Graham, the son of the great Billy Graham, stoops very low indeed in his response to Trump’s blasphemous image. You see, it turns out I was wrong about one thing. Even many of Trump’s loyal Evangelical followers are actually responding vigorously to the image, feeling that enough is enough. So it seems that Graham’s inbox had multiple requests for comment. I have updated the section of my first post linking to others’ reactions and added Franklin’s and others to it.
One person on my Facebook comments section said they usually agreed with Trump, but now used words like narcissist and sociopath. Others have even suggested Trump is the Antichrist (the horned image at the top of the screen prompting some of these comments), and perhaps this is the beginning of what I fear will be a long and painful process of repentance for their support of Trump for some. I am sad to report that for Franklin Graham, it appears that process has not yet begun. In words I hope he will one day regret in the light of sober reflection he has doubled down in his whole-hearted support of Trump:
Image: Franklin Graham
“I had received some questions about President Donald J. Trump’s recent posts, and here are my thoughts:
I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ—that would certainly be inappropriate. I’m thankful the President has made it very clear that this was not at all what he thought the AI-generated image was representing—he thought it was a doctor helping someone, and when he learned of the concerns, he immediately removed the post.
When I looked at the illustration, I didn’t jump to the same conclusion as some. There were no spiritual references—no halo, there were no crosses, no angels. It was a flag, soldiers, a nurse, fighter planes, eagles, the Statue of Liberty, and I think this is a lot to do about nothing. There is so much ill-intended speculation. I think his enemies are always foaming at the mouth at any possible opportunity to make him look bad.
And the illustration from someone else he reposted on Truth Social yesterday, I must say that I like the fact that this is a picture of Jesus whispering in his ear, or at least His hand on his shoulder, guiding him. We all need that—we all need to be listening to Jesus. Again, I think there is an attempt to spin this into something that it isn’t. Remember, President Trump didn’t draw this, he didn’t create it, he reposted it on his social media because he thought it was nice—I would have to agree.
I’m not a Catholic, I’m an evangelical, but I appreciate how President Trump has defended religious freedom for people of all faiths, including millions of evangelicals and Catholics in the U.S. and around the world. He is the most pro-Christian, pro-life president in my lifetime, and he doesn’t shy away from it. I would hope that the President and Pope Leo can meet at some point, and that the Pope would have the opportunity to thank the President for his efforts to protect religious liberty for Catholics and people of all faiths.” Franklin Graham
This response stretches credibility. It also demonstrates the extreme partisanship seen in American politics. Why won’t the man critique Trump at all? Why can’t he be a friendly, gently critical voice, even if it was just to say, this time, you went too far.
Billy Graham, Franklin’s father, was a close friend and pastoral confidant to every president for decades, from both sides of the political spectrum. He avoided becoming involved in politics. His wisdom is deeply missed.
Franklin Graham says he believes Trump when he said that he thought this represented him as a doctor. He adds that in any case he himself can see no spiritual imagery in it. Yes the imagery of robes representing Christ is more Roman Catholic than Evangelical, but surely it is very clear that, for example, the light coming out of his hands represents miraculous power.
He then accuses people like me of “foaming at the mouth” to make Trump look bad. Newsflash: to most of us, Trump needs no help from anyone to achieve that outcome. Then there is a subtle dig at the Pope urging him to recognize and thank Trump for the good he has achieved. No mention of the row between Trump and the Pope, but a clear implication that the Pope is the one in the wrong.
I grieve for American Evangelicalism as someone who has spent most of my life honoring and being thankful for how much good came out of the movement that many would say Franklin’s father essentially founded, and certainly led for decades. How has it come to the point that so many prominent leaders like Graham are enabling Trump, rather than exercising discernment?
The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. Just not all at once. Healing takes time. Compassion and patience carry us over a lifetime of change.
These are the themes I explore in my books and in the articles I have written for Patheos since 2003.
My writing draws on my scientific training as a doctor and psychiatrist, my work in the UK's National Health Service and the pharmaceutical industry, alongside more than twenty-five years as a member of a growing church where I served on the leadership team offering pastoral care.
My perspective has also been shaped by chronic illness since 2017, when I developed life-threatening pneumonia that caused lasting damage to my body, triggered several further conditions, and uncovered a diagnosis of blood cancer. This was successfully treated, although doctors expect it to return in the future. Out of these experiences I founded Blood Cancer Uncensored, an online patient-led support community.
I am the author of the Transformed by Jesus: Spiritual Renewal series of books, which ask:
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