Evangelist Franklin Graham has defended President Donald Trump following backlash over an AI-generated image shared on social media that appeared to depict the president as Jesus.
The image prompted criticism online, with some accusing Trump of drawing inappropriate comparisons to Christ. The post was later removed.
Responding to the controversy, Graham said he did not believe the president had intended to portray himself as Jesus.
“I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ—that would certainly be inappropriate,” he said, adding that Trump had made clear “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.”
Graham also pushed back on the interpretation of the image, saying: “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.”
He added: “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.”
Addressing a separate image reposted by Trump, Graham said he welcomed its message, describing it as “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,” he said, adding: “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.”
Graham, a prominent evangelical leader and son of the late preacher Billy Graham, also praised Trump’s record on religious freedom and urged Pope Leo to thank the president for his commitment to the issue.
“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,” Graham said.
“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.”
