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Franklin Graham Denies Trump Image Has Spiritual References

Franklin Graham Denies Trump Image Has Spiritual References

Last updated on: April 16, 2026 at 11:38 pm by Adrian Warnock

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Franklin Graham Denies Trump Image Has Spiritual References 2026-04-16T23:38:45+01:00 Adrian Warnock

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Shameful Enabling. But the Backlash is Growing

“His enemies are always foaming at the mouth at any possible opportunity to make him look bad”

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 in my Facebook comments said they usually agreed with Trump, but they 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).

Perhaps this is the beginning of what I fear will be a long and painful process of repentance for some people who have supported Trump. I am sad to report that for Franklin Graham, it appears that this 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 wholehearted 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

Graham’s 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 voice of reason, 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?

Where next for America and her Evangelicals?

I have made two brief videos on this.

Why Truth Really Matters

Trump’s claims about his blasphemous picture shows us how important deception is. Truth matters. But what about self deception from the Traitor Within? #christianbooktok #booktok #thetraitors #deception #bibletok #blasphemy #trump pic.twitter.com/egfqC7z8BK

— Adrian Warnock (@adrianwarnock) April 15, 2026

What Franklin Graham said is shameful enabling

Franklin Graham denies Trump’s blasphemous image has any Spiritual references. Sorry, but your father was able to reach across political divides to be the pastor of every president for decades. What you have done here is shameful enabling. #trump #deception #blasphemy #partisan https://t.co/FyLGt2WIwr pic.twitter.com/I9fvdhFiIG

— Adrian Warnock (@adrianwarnock) April 16, 2026

Trump Posts Blasphemous Image then Deletes it

Billy Graham dies at 99, the most influential Christian of the 20th Century

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About Adrian Warnock

Adrian Warnock

Medical doctor · Published author · Patheos writer since 2003

I have always lived within sixty miles of London, UK where I studied, worked and worshipped for thirty years. I began writing for this Patheos blog in April 2003, making it one of the longest-running individual columns on the Christian Internet. My writing here, on Substack, and in my books is influenced by my medical training, eight years of working as a psychiatrist in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), eighteen years working in medical research in the pharmaceutical industry, twenty-five years of serving as a pastoral leader in a growing multicultural church, and a difficult decade of lived experience with chronic illness, including blood cancer, and the unexpected losses, including early retirement, that resulted.

Together, these all shape a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach which I first wrote about on Patheos in 2013. This model offers us hope, compassion, and healing in all life’s challenges. This holistic approach is based on the idea that all truth is God’s truth.

At times, since my illness, my faith has been faint. I wondered if this was the end of my story. I was not strong enough to live for Jesus the way I wanted to. I could not change myself. And then hope reminded me: The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. Just not all at once. Healing takes time. Compassion and patience sustain us over a lifetime of change. I aim to approach suffering with hope and compassion, and address tough questions including:

What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for you?

Raised With Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything (Crossway, 2010; 2nd edition, Amazon, 2025)
Why is change so difficult? What causes the resistance?

The Traitor Within: Understanding and Healing Our Deceitful Hearts (Amazon, 2026)
Why is change so slow? How does grace lead us over a lifetime?

Amazing Grace: How Faith Grows in the Human Heart (Amazon, 2026)
How do you become a Christian? Can you know if you really are one?

Hope Reborn: How to Become a Christian and Live for Jesus Co-authored with Tope Koleoso (Christian Focus, 2014)

Qualifications

I qualified with an MB BS from the University of London (equivalent to an MD in the United States), hold postgraduate qualifications in psychiatry (MRCPsych) and pharmaceutical medicine (MFFM, DipPharmMed), and took theological training courses run by Newfrontiers.

Connect With me

Substack: adrianwarnock.substack.com (the best way to ask questions)
Twitter/X: @adrianwarnock
Facebook: Adrian Warnock
Email: [email protected] (I may not be able to respond to every message)

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Franklin Graham Denies Trump Image Has Spiritual References

Shameful Enabling. But the Backlash is Growing

“His enemies are always foaming at the mouth at any possible opportunity to make him look bad”

Graham’s response stretches credibility.

Where next for America and her Evangelicals?

I have made two brief videos on this.

Why Truth Really Matters

What Franklin Graham said is shameful enabling

Read More

Adrian Warnock

True or False: Boaz was Ruth's brother-in-law who married her.