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Evangelical leaders praise Trump’s continued support for Israel amid war with Iran
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Some of the most influential evangelical leaders in the U.S. told Fox News Digital that they believe President Donald Trump’s support for Israel is unwavering as the Jewish state finds itself at war with Iran.
Speaking before and after the start of Israel’s military campaign against the regime, the leaders highlighted the millennialong connection of the Jewish people to their historical homeland, while also emphasizing the shared values rooted in biblical teachings.
The evangelical community helped deliver the White House to President Donald Trump and, therefore, believes his administration should support Israel’s biblical rights to its historical heartland of Judea and Samaria, Dr. Mike Evans, founder of Friends of Zion, told Fox News Digital.
«We hold strongly to that stand. President Trump won because of the Evangelical vote. There are 52 million of us in America, and we are Bible believers,» he continued. «Jesus said, ‘You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria,’» he said. His organization claims nearly 30 million members.
TRUMP SAYS ISRAEL AND IRAN ‘HAVE TO FIGHT IT OUT’ BUT BELIEVES DEAL IS POSSIBLE
An Israeli soldier attaches an Israeli flag on top of an armored personnel carrier near Israel’s border with Gaza, in southern Israel, on Monday, April 15, 2024. (AP)
Evans praised the president’s stance on Iran, saying, «The Trump strategy is brilliant because he’s giving Iran a way out, but he’s not taking it off the table that the U.S. will bomb Iran. Quite the contrary, he’s made it very clear that if Iran does anything to attack U.S. bases in the Middle East or Americans, they will have hell to pay.»
Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, which numbers 10 million members, told Fox News Digital that Israel has long been a central concern for American evangelicals, a priority that has only intensified since the 9/11 attacks and more recently in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre. For evangelical Christians, he said, support for Israel is rooted in religious conviction rather than political ideology. They view appeasement of Iran or engagement with terrorists not just as flawed policy, but as morally wrong and fundamentally evil.
Just days before Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, and amid isolationist criticism against Israel, Hagee told Fox News Digital, «I do not think President Trump will allow himself to be played by Iranian negotiators or American isolationists. When it’s all said and done, I believe President Trump is willing to do what it takes to ensure Iran is defanged either by enabling our strongest ally, Israel, to defend itself or otherwise.»
Israeli air defenses seen in the skies over northern Israel during an Iranian missile attack. June 16, 2025. (Photos by Anthony Hershko/TPS-IL)
Following Israel’s surprise attack on Iran, Hagee released a recorded message as part of an action alert asking his supporters to contact President Trump, thank him for his support of Israel and urge him to continue.
«We must stand with Israel today and every day. Iran’s future as an evil force in the Middle East is now in question. Only the people of Iran can take the country back. But Israel has opened the door for them and given the world room to breathe. Now the U.S. must take its seat at the head of the international table and stand alongside the only American ally in the free world willing to do what is necessary to protect the free world,» Hagee said.
HUCKABEE CONDEMNS EFFORTS TO ERASE JEWISH HISTORY TO THE HOLY LAND AS ‘ABSURD’
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, posted about the growing threat Iran poses to both Israel and the United States on X.
«Iran has said that they want to wipe Israel off the face of the map. They would also like to destroy America. Iran is a sponsor of terror … Israel has been forced into defending itself and needs our prayers,» he added. «All of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him should ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (Psalm 122:6). Pray that this can be resolved quickly.»
Graham pointed to the long connection of the Jewish people to their historic homeland, while also emphasizing the shared values rooted in biblical teachings.
From left to right, Franklin Graham, Dr. Mike Evans and Pastor John Hagee are urging President Donald Trump to continue backing Israel as the Jewish state fights a war against Iran. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images | Mike Evans; Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images | John Hagee; CUFI/Cornerstone Church, San Antonio, TX.)
«Most evangelical Christians believe the Bible and, of course, we believe Genesis, we believe God gave the land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that every inch of that land belongs to the Jews,» Graham told Fox News Digital.
He underscored the importance of continued U.S. support for Israel, citing both strategic and democratic considerations.
«The U.S. government has supported Israel since it became a nation, and for that support to continue is extremely important. It’s the only democracy in the Middle East, the only place where elections are held. No one else in that part of the world has the kinds of freedoms that Israelis have,» Graham said.
Evans, also quoting scripture, noted that, «In Genesis chapter 12, God said, ‘I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.’ Evangelicals believe that pressuring Israel to give up land will bring a curse on America. If they have to choose between God’s word and anyone else’s, they will choose God’s word,» he said.
Hagee also cited biblical teachings that promise blessings for those who bless Israel, framing the principle as both a spiritual conviction and a practical truth.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at a meeting in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 5, 2020. Khamenei said Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s Middle East plan will not outlive the president. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
«Consider the tangible results that cannot be denied—whether through intelligence and technology sharing or fighting on the front lines of the global war on terror, America has been blessed by supporting Israel in numerous ways. If we turn our backs on Israel, not only will God turn His back on America, but we will lose freedom’s foothold in the Middle East,» he told Fox News Digital.
ISRAEL’S ACTIONS AGAINST IRAN CREATE STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY FOR US IN NUCLEAR TALKS, EXPERTS SAY
Hagee noted that the issue has become deeply personal for many in the United States, especially in light of recent antisemitic attacks on American soil. These include the terror incident in Boulder, Colorado, where an illegal Egyptian immigrant injured 15 people with Molotov cocktails during a march supporting hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as the fatal shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., which claimed the lives of two staff members from the Israeli Embassy.
«We expect Congress to take up meaningful legislation aimed at combating the scourge of violent antisemitism raging across the country,» Hagee said.
He condemned the political delays surrounding the Antisemitism Awareness Act and the lack of progress on the Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from engaging with companies that promote a boycott of Israel.
«That Congress continues to dither here is shameful,» Hagee said.
For his part, Evans told Fox News digital that another issue that the Trump administration appears to be confronting aggressively: a French-Saudi-sponsored conference to push for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Pastor John Hagee speaks during «March For Israel» at the National Mall on Nov. 14, 2023 in Washington, D.C.
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«We’re not overly concerned, because we know the president will oppose this move at the U.N. Security Council,» he said. «The United States will not back a Palestinian state at this time, as the entire premise of statehood has been based on land-for-peace—a concept that assumes Israel can secure peace by relinquishing territory. But Israelis have given up land and lost lives in the process, and it hasn’t worked.»
«Israel is facing an existential threat and can no longer capitulate or play the land-for-peace game. Palestinians can lead a better life, as we’ve seen with Israeli Arabs, who have a better quality of life in Israel than anywhere else in the Middle East,» Evans continued. «The only way forward is if they stop resorting to terrorism, and we believe the president supports this position of moral clarity, as do all Evangelicals.»
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is standing firm behind Maine Democrat Graham Platner, a first-time Senate hopeful facing outrage over a Nazi-style tattoo and resurfaced Reddit posts.
Sanders, in an interview with Axios, blamed the media for the fury about the tattoo and Platner’s deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he said he went through a challenging chapter in his life.
«I’m not overly impressed by a squad of media running around saying, ‘what do you think about the tattoo on Graham Platner’s chest,’» Sanders told Axios on «The Axios Show.»
U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, D-Maine, speaks at a town hall at the Franco Center, Oct. 15, in Lewiston, Me. (Libby Kenny/Sun Journal via AP)
DELETED POSTS URGING VIOLENCE HAUNT DEMOCRATIC SENATE HOPEFUL IN MAINE RACE
It was revealed that Platner, a U.S. Marine and Army veteran and oyster farmer, once had a skull-and-crossbones tattoo resembling the Totenkopf used by Hitler’s SS paramilitary forces. He has since covered the image with another tattoo.
Meanwhile, resurfaced Reddit posts show him appearing to mock military sexual assault victims, criticize police, and make racially charged comments about tipping. He also said on the social media platform in 2018 that «all» police are bastards and called himself a «communist.»
Platner’s campaign has been rocked by the controversies with his political director, former state representative Genevieve McDonald, resigning in the aftermath of the Reddit posts — the tattoo controversy came after. Platner has apologized for both incidents.
A new poll shows Platner with a decisive lead among a crowded Democrat field. The University of New Hampshire’s Pine Tree State poll shows 58% of likely Democrat primary voters back him. The poll was taken during which the Reddit posts were surfacing, and before the tattoo controversy came to light.
Senator Bernie Sanders blamed the media for the fury and said the public should focus on the issues facing ordinary Americans instead. (Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Despite the disarray, Sanders is doubling down on his support of Platner, who is contesting a crowded field. He told the outlet that Platner «went into a dark period in his life» regarding the online posts.
«I suspect that Graham Platner is not the only American to have gone through a dark period,» Sanders said. «What he did was he expressed his darkness on the internet. Probably not a brilliant thing to do, alright? And he said things that are stupid, things that were hurtful. He has apologized for them.»
Sanders said the public should focus on the issues facing ordinary Americans instead.
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER DIRECTS INVESTIGATION AFTER SWASTIKA VANDALISM DISCOVERED IN DC OFFICE
«I think what we have got to do as a nation is not focus on a tattoo,» Sanders said. «We’ve got to focus on a system which in many ways is collapsing.»
Platner said he got the tattoo in 2007 during a «night of drinking» while on leave in Croatia in the Marine Corps and claimed he did not know its historical associations at the time.
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, points to a covered tattoo that had previously been an image recognized as a Nazi symbol, during an interview on Wednesday in Portland, Me. (WGME via AP)
In a video posted to Instagram Wednesday afternoon, Platner elaborated that the design was chosen from a flash tattoo wall while «carousing» with fellow Marines in Split, Croatia.
«We thought it looked cool,» he said.
He claimed he had «lived a life dedicated to anti-fascism, anti-racism and anti-Nazism» and was «appalled» to learn it resembled a hate symbol.
Platner said he had the symbol inked over with a Celtic knot and imagery of dogs, a tribute to his family pets. He told the Associated Press he opted to cover it instead of removing it because there were no removal services near his home in rural Maine.
«This far more represents who I am now than even the skull and crossbones did,» he said on the video, lifting his shirt to reveal the new tattoo.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is backing Maine Gov. Janet Mills for the Senate seat. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
In the Reddit posts, Platner reportedly asked, «Why don’t black people tip?» in response to a thread asking, «What is one question you have always wanted to ask someone of another race?» according to WGME.
He also argued that if people «expect to fight fascism without a good semi-automatic rifle, they ought to do some reading of history.» And in another post, he said, «an armed working class is a requirement for economic justice.»
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is backing Maine Gov. Janet Mills for the Senate seat in the race to take on longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.
The University of New Hampshire’s Pine Tree State Poll shows Mills with 24% of likely voters and just 1% for any other candidate. About 14% remain undecided.
Meanwhile, Collins dominates the GOP field with 66% support, according to the poll.
Fox News’ Jasmine Baehr and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
bernie sanders,maine,senate,politics,democratic party,chuck schumer,fox news media
El artista Naderson Saint-Pierre estaba pintando en su estudio de Manhattan la mañana del martes cuando un amigo le avisó que su héroe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, iba a ser homenajeado por la ciudad de Nueva York con una ceremonia de nombramiento de calle esa misma tarde.
Con su overol manchado de pintura, tomó el metro hacia el centro, donde se unió a las personas reunidas frente al número 57 de Great Jones Street, el edificio bajo donde el Basquiat vivió y trabajó en el momento de su muerte en 1988.
La multitud estaba compuesta por residentes del East Village, periodistas de televisión local y admiradores que llevaban gorras y camisetas con el motivo de la corona de Basquiat. También había miembros de la familia del artista —hermanas, sobrinas, sobrinos, primos— y funcionarios de la ciudad. “Es un día hermoso para verlo ser homenajeado de esta manera”, dijo Saint-Pierre, de 30 años, “y que una calle lleve tu nombre es uno de los grandes honores de Nueva York”.
“Soy haitiano, como él”, continuó, “y cuando me mudé a la ciudad sin nada, vendía mi arte por 20 dólares en Tompkins Square Park y dormía en el metro. Basquiat también luchó en las calles antes de encontrar el éxito. Para mí, él es la prueba de que los sueños de un artista en Nueva York pueden hacerse realidad”.
El edificio de dos pisos en el 57 de Great Jones fue la base de operaciones de Basquiat, nacido en Brooklyn, cuando experimentó su ascenso al estrellato en el mundo del arte, y allí murió de una sobredosis de heroína a los 27 años. Durante años, artistas urbanos han dejado tributos en ese lugar con vibrantes versiones de su etiqueta de grafiti “SAMO”.
“Esto se siente como algo que llevaba mucho tiempo esperando”, dijo Michelle Hogan, residente del East Village. “Ahora los turistas que van a hacer fila afuera de Katz’s quizás puedan tener una verdadera muestra de lo que alguna vez fue el East Village y por qué este barrio fue tan importante para la historia del arte pop estadounidense”. Su esposo, Steve Hogan, estaba de pie bajo una valla publicitaria de Moncler con Al Pacino y Robert De Niro mientras observaba a la multitud frente al 57 de Great Jones, ahora sede de la boutique de moda de Angelina Jolie, Atelier Jolie.
“Basquiat merece este honor”, dijo Hogan, “pero no sé qué pensaría él sobre cómo luce ahora esta cuadra y el centro de Nueva York”.
El concejal Erik Bottcher se dirigió a los presentes. “¡Bienvenidos a la calle Jean-Michel Basquiat!” dijo, entre aplausos. “Como él dijo una vez: ‘No pienso en el arte cuando trabajo, trato de pensar en la vida’. Hoy, honramos a un hombre cuyo arte reflejaba la vida en toda su complejidad: la belleza, la lucha, la verdad”.
Bottcher entregó una carpeta azul con una proclamación oficial a las hermanas del artista, Lisane Basquiat y Jeanine Heriveaux. Mientras Lisane contenía las lágrimas, Jeanine agradeció a la ciudad por asegurarse de que la “estrella de su hermano mayor siga brillando intensamente”.
Un gran aplauso se escuchó cuando alguien tiró de la cuerda que retiró la cubierta que ocultaba el letrero de la calle “Jean-Michel Basquiat Way” en la esquina de Bowery y Great Jones. Entre la multitud estaban dos personas que ayudaron a impulsar el nombre honorario, la exconcejala Carlina Rivera y el historiador del hip-hop LeRoy McCarthy.
En la planta baja de Atelier Jolie, amigos y familiares de Basquiat se sirvieron palitos de yuca y tostones con salsa de ajo. La señora Heriveaux y la señora Basquiat subieron las escaleras hasta el espacio del atelier que alguna vez fue el dormitorio del artista, lleno de pinturas. “El hecho de que, en 2025, en el contexto de todo lo que está ocurriendo, él sea homenajeado de esta manera por la ciudad de Nueva York es profundamente significativo e impactante para nuestra familia”, dijo. “Agradecemos el reconocimiento”.
“Veníamos a menudo a visitarlo aquí”, dijo la señora Heriveaux. “Es emotivo estar aquí. Pero al mismo tiempo, hay una sensación cálida al estar aquí”.
Pensó en lo que su hermano podría haber sentido ante el homenaje de la ciudad. “Creo que habría estado eufórico”, dijo. “Él quería ser famoso. Eso es algo que expresó”.
Una vez que la multitud se fue, la cuadra volvió a su ritmo habitual. Repartidores pasaban rápidamente en bicicletas eléctricas. Personas vestidas a la moda almorzaban en las mesas de la acera frente al Bowery Hotel. Y el nuevo letrero con el nombre de Jean-Michel Basquiat brillaba bajo el sol.
Fuente: The New York Times
[Fotos: Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times]
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Top Republican slams Katherine Clark for admitting suffering families are ‘leverage’ in shutdown battle
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EXCLUSIVE: A top House Republican is criticizing one of Democrats’ senior leaders for saying the government shutdown and its effects are a «leverage point» to accomplish their goals on healthcare.
«It’s appalling to see the number two House Democrat openly admit that the left is weaponizing hardworking Americans as ‘leverage’ for political gain, even acknowledging families will suffer in the process,» Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital.
«This isn’t governance — it’s calculated hostage-taking, with struggling families caught in the balance as Democrats attempt to force through their radical agenda. Families are seen only as leverage by Democrats. We always knew it, now they’re saying it out loud. Absolutely shameful.»
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., sat down for an interview with Fox News’ Chad Pergram last week. At one point, Clark was asked about who Americans would find responsible for the ongoing shutdown.
BATTLEGROUND REPUBLICANS HOLD THE LINE AS JOHNSON PRESSURES DEMS ON SHUTDOWN
Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger is criticizing House Minority Whip Katherine Clark’s comments in a recent interview on the government shutdown. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«I mean, shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have,» Clark responded.
«It is an inflection point in this budget process where we have tried to get the Republicans to meet with us and prioritize the American people, and it’s been an absolute refusal, and they were willing to let government shut down when they control the House, the Senate and the White House rather than come and talk about an issue as important to the American people is if they can afford healthcare.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Clark’s office for a response to Pfluger’s comments.
The government is in a shutdown after Congress failed to reach an agreement on federal funding. (Getty Images)
The government shutdown is now in its 23rd day after Senate Democrats rejected the GOP’s federal funding bill for a 12th time on Wednesday evening.
Republicans proposed a measure that would keep federal funding roughly flat until Nov. 21, a spending patch called a continuing resolution (CR), so that negotiators would have more time to strike a longer-term deal on fiscal year (FY) 2026.
The bill passed the House largely along partisan lines on Sept. 19.
But Democrats have been pushing for any funding deal to include an extension of Obamacare subsidies that were enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those enhancements are set to expire at the end of 2025.
Republican leaders have signaled a willingness to negotiate on those subsidies, but have ruled out doing so in the current package.
SCREAMING MATCH ERUPTS BETWEEN HAKEEM JEFFRIES, MIKE LAWLER AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CHAOS CONTINUES
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on the 10th day of the federal government shutdown in Washington, Oct. 10, 2025. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images)
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«Mike Johnson said, we have an eternity to talk about this, an eternity. This impact of the ACA is in the next few weeks,» Clark said. «Yes, there are repercussions to a shutdown that are terrible for people.»
She continued, «I feel for military families that even if they get paid, you know, there are lots of spouses that also work that are feeling these cuts because we’ve encouraged military spouses to become federal workers to accommodate all the travel and moving that military families so frequently experience. And now we’re saying to them, you’re not going to be paid for your work. I mean, let’s get it together here. The Republicans need to come to town. They need to sit down with us.»
Republicans have seized on Clark’s comments in recent days, however.
House GOP Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said in a statement on Wednesday, «Democrats are holding American families hostage to advance their political agenda, and they’re admitting it.»
house of representatives politics,politics,republicans,government shutdown
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