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Rev. Franklin Graham defended President Donald Trump in a statement shared Thursday on Truth Social after backlash over an image critics said depicted Trump as Jesus Christ.
The statement was released Thursday by Graham and shared by the president as a signed letter.
“I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ — that would certainly be inappropriate,” Graham wrote.
He added that Trump believed the image showed “a doctor helping someone” and said the president “immediately removed the post” after concerns were raised.
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President Donald Trump greets Rev. Franklin Graham during an Easter prayer service and dinner in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Pool/AP)
“There were no spiritual references — no halo, there were no crosses, no angels,” Graham wrote. “It was a flag, soldiers, a nurse, fighter planes, eagles. … I think this is a lot to do about nothing.”
Graham also referenced a separate image Trump shared on Truth Social that appeared to show Jesus standing beside him with a hand on his shoulder, suggesting it represented guidance rather than self-depiction, and said critics were attempting to “spin this into something that it isn’t.”
“And the illustration from someone else he reposted on Truth Social today, 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,” Graham said. “We all need that — we all need to be listening to Jesus.”
A representative for Graham told Fox News Digital said the reverend had no further comment and that he’d be appearing on Fox News’ “Hannity” Thursday night.
The controversy began Sunday night when Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself appearing to heal a man while surrounded by patriotic imagery, prompting criticism…
