INTERNACIONAL
Franklin Graham defends Trump in letter shared on Truth Social after AI ‘Jesus’ image backlash
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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.
STEFANIK CLASHES WITH CNN HOSTS OVER TRUMP’S POPE COMMENTS WHILE ACCUSING SWALWELL OF ‘CRIMINAL’ CONDUCT
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 from both political opponents and some of his own supporters.
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President Donald Trump stands outside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump addressed the backlash the following day.
«I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor. … Only the fake news could come up with that one,» Trump said. «It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.»
The post was later deleted.
BISHOP BARRON SAYS TRUMP ‘OWES THE POPE AN APOLOGY’
Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, speaks during the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
The episode comes as Trump has also been engaged in a public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, whom he criticized as «weak on crime» and «terrible for foreign policy,» while the pope said he was «unafraid» of the Trump administration.
Despite that defense, criticism earlier in the week came from within Trump’s base.
OutKick contributor Riley Gaines questioned the post, while RedState writer Bonchie called the image «blasphemy» and urged Trump to apologize. Influencer Brilyn Hollyhand added that «faith is not a prop.»
TRUMP ACCUSES POPE LEO OF BEING ‘TERRIBLE’ ON FOREIGN POLICY OVER PONTIFF’S ANTI-WAR COMMENTS
President Donald Trump posted the letter from Rev. Franklin Graham Thursday on Truth Social. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg)
Criticism also came from media figures and political opponents, including Cenk Uygur, who called it «blasphemous,» and NBC’s Richard Engel, who questioned whether Trump was joking.
Others defended the post, arguing it was symbolic and misinterpreted.
Graham also praised Trump’s record on religious freedom and expressed hope the president could meet with Pope Leo in the future.
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«I would hope that the President and Pope Leo can meet at some point, and that the Pope would have the opportunity to thank President Trump for his efforts to protect religious liberty,» Graham said.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Brian Flood and Eric Mack contributed to this report.
franklin graham, donald trump, white house, religion us, faith personal freedoms, politics, fox news media
INTERNACIONAL
El proyecto del «Arco del Triunfo» de Trump no agrada a nadie, ni a quien se lo propuso
Rep. Chip Roy introduces PAUSE Act to halt immigration
Republican Congressman Chip Roy discusses the alarming visa fraud scheme involving 10 Indian nationals who staged armed robberies to exploit immigration laws. Roy introduces the PAUSE Act to temporarily halt all immigration, citing the highest number of foreign-born residents in US history. He slams the Senate for stalling the Save America Act, advocating for immediate legislative action to reform the immigration system amidst rising concerns about foreign nationals.
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The Trump administration on Thursday announced a «significant expansion» of its visa restriction policy in the Western Hemisphere, targeting people working on behalf of U.S. adversaries.
In its announcement, the State Department said the expanded policy allows it to restrict U.S. visas for people intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries to «undermine America’s interests.»
«President Trump’s National Security Strategy makes clear: this Administration will deny adversarial powers the ability to own or control vital assets or threaten the security and prosperity of the United States in our region,» the department said in a press release. «The Department of State is working to advance American leadership in our hemisphere, protect our homeland, and ensure access to vital routes and areas throughout our region.»
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Marco Rubio with passports in view; the State Department has introduced updated vetting procedures for visa applicants. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images / istock) (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
«In support of this critical objective, the Department of State is announcing a significant expansion of an existing visa restriction policy that targets those working on behalf of U.S. adversaries to undermine our national interests in our hemisphere, including regional security and democratic sovereignty,» the department continued.
The administration also said that family members of individuals subject to visa restrictions under this policy will not be allowed to enter the U.S.
Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, left, and US President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg)
«This expanded policy enables us to restrict U.S. visas for nationals of countries in our region who, while within Western Hemisphere countries and while intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries, their agents, or enterprises, knowingly direct, authorize, fund, or provide significant support to, or carry out activities that are adversarial to and undermine America’s interests in our hemisphere. These individuals – and their immediate family members – will be generally ineligible for entry into the United States,» the department said.
Activities the administration has deemed adversarial and that could trigger visa restrictions include enabling adversarial powers to acquire or control key assets and strategic resources in the Western Hemisphere, destabilizing regional security efforts, undermining American economic interests and conducting influence operations designed to weaken the sovereignty and stability of nations in the region.
STATE DEPARTMENT TO ASK FOR BONDS OF UP TO $15,000 FOR VISA APPLICATION FROM A DOZEN MORE COUNTRIES
U.S. passports are arranged for a photograph in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. A court challenge by federal immigration agents seeking to block President Barack Obama’s deferred-deportation initiative will probably succeed, a judge said. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg)
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The department said it has imposed visa restrictions on 26 people under this policy.
«To demonstrate our commitment to this expanded policy, we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 26 individuals across our hemisphere who have engaged in these activities,» the department said. «The Trump Administration will use every available tool to protect our national security interests, defend American interests, and promote our region’s safety and prosperity.»
This comes after a series of moves by the administration in recent months to restrict visas for people around the world, including a visa ban on people from dozens of countries listed by the State Department, which civil rights groups have previously sharply criticized.
Critics, including civil rights advocates, have raised concerns about similar visa restriction policies, saying broad definitions of prohibited activity can create questions about how individuals are identified and what due process protections are available.
«This administration’s targeting of people based on their national origin is part of an autocratic playbook designed to make America smaller – to shut out ideas, perspectives, and communities,» Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement earlier this year about the suspension of immigrant visa processing for people from around 75 countries.
administration, national security, foreign policy, foreign affairs, state department
INTERNACIONAL
Pakistán confirmó gestiones para una nueva ronda de diálogo entre Estados Unidos e Irán, pero sin fecha definida
El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Pakistán confirmó este jueves que se están manteniendo contactos para organizar una nueva reunión entre delegaciones de Estados Unidos e Irán con el objetivo de alcanzar un acuerdo que ponga fin a la guerra, pero aclaró que todavía no hay una fecha definida para ese encuentro.
El portavoz Tahir Andrabi señaló que Islamabad sigue ejerciendo su papel de mediador y que los detalles sobre la composición y el tamaño de las delegaciones serán determinados por las partes involucradas.
“Como mediadores, es fundamental que mantengamos la confidencialidad de las conversaciones. Tenemos la información que nos han confiado los negociadores”, afirmó Andrabi en conferencia de prensa.
El funcionario describió el resultado de la primera ronda, celebrada el 12 de abril en Islamabad, como un proceso “sin avances decisivos pero tampoco rupturas”, y confirmó que los temas nucleares continúan siendo el principal obstáculo para lograr un acuerdo.
Andrabi evitó dar detalles sobre los puntos exactos en discusión, pero remarcó que Pakistán mantiene un canal de comunicación activo entre las delegaciones y que la mediación es parte de una estrategia regional más amplia conocida como el “Proceso de Islamabad”.
El anuncio se produjo en paralelo a una intensa agenda diplomática de las autoridades paquistaníes. El primer ministro Shehbaz Sharif se encuentra en una gira que ya lo llevó a Jeddah y Doha, y que prevé una escala en Antalya.
Durante su paso por Qatar, Sharif discutió con el emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani la situación en el Golfo y la importancia de sostener la estabilidad y el diálogo internacional en Medio Oriente.
El jefe de las Fuerzas Armadas de Pakistán, Asim Munir, viajó a Teherán junto con el ministro del Interior, Mohsin Naqvi, para mantener encuentros con altos funcionarios iraníes, incluido el canciller Abbas Araghchi y el presidente del Parlamento Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Desde Teherán, el embajador Reza Amiri Moghadam enfatizó que Irán solo aceptará Pakistán como sede de las negociaciones con Estados Unidos.
“Las conversaciones se realizarán en Pakistán y en ningún otro lugar, porque confiamos en Pakistán”, sostuvo Moghadam en un acto en Islamabad.
Analistas paquistaníes señalan que Pakistán está impulsando una doble estrategia, con el primer ministro buscando apoyo en las potencias del Golfo y el jefe militar concentrado en cerrar una nueva ronda de diálogo entre Washington y Teherán, con el foco puesto en extender la frágil tregua y acercar posiciones sobre el programa nuclear iraní.
Por otro lado, funcionarios de Pakistán desmintieron que Munir tuviera prevista una visita a Washington, calificando esas versiones como especulativas. El portavoz Andrabi señaló que no tenía conocimiento de ningún viaje planificado por el jefe militar tras su paso por Irán.
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, anticipó este jueves que la próxima reunión entre negociadores estadounidenses e iraníes podría celebrarse durante el fin de semana.
Trump afirmó que “estamos muy cerca de un acuerdo con Irán” y precisó que Teherán ha ofrecido no buscar armas nucleares durante más de dos décadas, aunque la extensión y alcance de ese compromiso sigue en debate.
Trump insistió en que un acuerdo permitiría reducir los precios del petróleo, controlar la inflación y eliminar el riesgo de proliferación nuclear en la región.
“Si esto sucede, veremos una caída en el precio del petróleo, la inflación bajará y, más importante aún, se evitará una catástrofe nuclear”, dijo el mandatario.
El mandatario republicano sostuvo que su administración mantiene un “muy buen canal” con Irán y que el bloqueo y los bombardeos de las últimas semanas han sido determinantes para que Teherán se muestre dispuesto a negociar.
“Creo que tenemos una oportunidad real. Irán quiere hacer un trato”, señaló. El presidente agregó que, de alcanzarse un acuerdo en Islamabad, podría viajar personalmente a la capital pakistaní para firmarlo.
Trump también anunció que planea invitar al primer ministro israelí Benjamin Netanyahu y al presidente libanés Joseph Aoun a la Casa Blanca para avanzar hacia un acuerdo de paz regional, en línea con el cese de hostilidades entre Israel y Hezbollah, que comenzó este jueves.
(Con información de AFP y Reuters)
Tahir Andrabi
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