Franklin Graham Defends Trump’s Jesus and Pope Social Media Posts
North Carolina evangelist Franklin Graham publicly backed President Donald Trump amid a surge of criticism. The controversy followed two recent social media posts by the president.
The AI image and immediate backlash
On Truth Social late Sunday, Trump shared an AI-generated image. The picture showed a Jesus-like figure appearing to lay hands on a patient in a hospital bed.
Critics reacted quickly. The post was removed the next day after complaints from both opponents and some supporters.
Trump’s explanation to reporters
The president told reporters he believed the image showed him as a doctor. He added it was related to the Red Cross, he said, and that he did not intend a religious comparison.
That explanation did not stop the debate. Many users scrutinized the intent and the imagery in the post.
Franklin Graham Defends the president
Franklin Graham Defends Trump in a social media message published Thursday. Graham said he accepts the president’s account of the image.
Graham argued that critics were eager to make Trump look bad. He also noted the illustration lacked overt religious symbols, in his view.
Graham’s background and past support
Graham leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte. He also heads Samaritan’s Purse, based in Boone.
He has long supported Trump. Graham spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention and addressed CPAC last month.
Pope exchange and wider tensions
The controversy ran parallel to a separate exchange between Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Trump criticized the pope on Truth Social, calling him political and suggesting the Vatican chose the pontiff for diplomatic reasons.
The pope said he was not intimidated by the administration.
Graham’s hopes for reconciliation
Graham called Trump the most pro-Christian, pro-life president in his lifetime. He said he hopes the president and the Pope can meet.
Graham suggested such a meeting could highlight efforts to protect religious liberty for Catholics and other faiths.
Filmogaz.com originally published this story on April 16, 2026, at 3:55 PM.
