The Rev. Franklin Graham on Thursday dismissed criticism surrounding a recent President Donald Trump social media post showing him in a white and red flowing robe and appearing to heal a sick person as "a lot to do about nothing."
"I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ — that would certainly be inappropriate," Graham wrote on X. "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."
Trump on Monday deleted the social media image depicting him as Jesus Christ after an outcry from religious leaders who said it was blasphemous.
Asked about the post, Trump denied he was attempting to portray Christ.
"I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with the Red Cross," he told reporters. "It's supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. I make people a lot better."
The post sparked criticism from a number of prominent conservative Christian leaders, some of whom are among Trump's strongest supporters.
In a post on X, Graham said he had received questions about the controversy and defended the president, saying he did not interpret the image as others had.
"When I looked at the illustration, I didn't jump to the same conclusion as some," he wrote. "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 the criticism was driven by political opponents.
"There is so much ill-intended speculation," Graham wrote. "I think his enemies are always foaming at the mouth at any possible opportunity to make him look bad."
Graham also addressed a separate image Trump reposted on Truth Social that appeared to depict Jesus guiding the president.
"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," he wrote. "We all need that — we all need to be listening to Jesus."
He said critics were mischaracterizing the repost.
"Again, I think there is an attempt to spin this into something that it isn't," Graham wrote. "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 also praised Trump's record on religious issues.
"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 wrote. "He is the most pro-Christian, pro-life president in my lifetime, and he doesn't shy away from it."
He added he hopes Trump will meet with Pope Leo, after the president has criticized the pontiff over comments opposing the war in Iran.
"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," Graham wrote.
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