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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.
RILEY GAINES ADDRESSES SPAT WITH MAGA OVER AI JESUS POST, SAYS ‘HUMILITY’ WOULD SERVE TRUMP
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.
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INTERNACIONAL
Reforma fiscal de Luis Abinader queda lista para promulgación tras su aprobación de urgencia en el Congreso dominicano
La reforma fiscal impulsada por el presidente Luis Abinader fue aprobada de urgencia por la Cámara de Diputados y el Senado, convertida en ley y enviada al Poder Ejecutivo para su promulgación u observación. La norma busca sumar RD$50.000 millones al Presupuesto General del Estado, equivalentes aproximadamente a 850 millones de dólares estadounidenses (USD), mediante un aumento de la carga tributaria, según medios locales.
La norma deroga los anticipos para las microempresas, crea una amnistía para deudas tributarias y reduce de 25% a 10% el Impuesto Sobre la Renta por ganancia de capital en la venta de inmuebles, según Diario Libre. También elimina las leyes de los fósforos y del control a las estampillas, de acuerdo con el mismo diario.
Entre las medidas incluidas, el texto indexa los salarios para que solo quienes ganen más de 39.900 pesos mensuales (unos 678 dólares estadounidenses) paguen el impuesto sobre la renta y eleva la deducción de gastos educativos de 25% a 30%, según Diario Libre. Además, restablece el impuesto selectivo sobre el alcohol etílico usado en la fabricación de medicamentos y sube a 30% la tasa del impuesto sobre la renta empresarial para los grandes contribuyentes, según ese medio.
El proyecto fue presentado como una ley de medidas pro crecimiento económico, simplificación fiscal y mitigación de la crisis internacional, según Diario Libre. Según Listín Diario, su objetivo central es elevar la recaudación tributaria con mayores cargas sobre distintos sectores de la sociedad.
En la comisión bicameral, la primera reunión estuvo dedicada a la lectura íntegra del proyecto y en la segunda se escucharon observaciones del ministro de Hacienda y Economía, Magín Díaz, y de representantes de la Asociación de Industrias de la República Dominicana, según Diario Libre. Al cierre de ese encuentro, la comisión aprobó un informe favorable que luego pasó al Senado para su votación, de acuerdo con el medio.
Entre las propuestas de cambio impulsadas por la oposición figuraban eliminar impuestos a las telecomunicaciones en zonas rurales, mantener sin cambios la tasa por transferencias bancarias, indexar los salarios inferiores a 52.000 pesos mensuales (alrededor de 885 dólares estadounidenses) y aplicar la eliminación del anticipo a las pequeñas empresas, según Diario Libre. Ninguna de esas sugerencias prosperó en la votación final.
El presidente de la Cámara de Diputados, Alfredo Pacheco, defendió la aprobación y afirmó ante Diario Libre que las medidas responden a “la consecuencia de todos estos años de crisis”. También pidió “comedimiento” a la oposición al recordar que durante la presidencia de Leonel Fernández se aprobaron dos reformas fiscales.
Desde la comisión que estudió el proyecto, el diputado Francisco Javier Paulino dijo a Diario Libre que las medidas benefician a más del 90% de la población porque muchas disposiciones están dirigidas a los grandes contribuyentes. Desde la oposición, el diputado Rafael Castillo, vocero de Fuerza del Pueblo, cuestionó ante el mismo medio la rapidez del trámite y dijo que otras reformas estructurales no recibieron la misma urgencia.
El opositor Carlos de Pérez afirmó a Diario Libre que solo en mayo la nómina pública creció en alrededor de 3.180 millones de pesos (unos 54 millones de dólares estadounidenses) y cuestionó que la reforma termine destinada al pago de gastos corrientes como viáticos y publicidad.
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As artificial intelligence (AI) companies race toward IPOs and scramble to construct data centers, a new Fox News Poll finds voters now view Big Tech — not Big Government — as the greater threat to the nation’s future, a striking turnaround from seven years ago.
By a 5 percentage-point margin, more see Big Tech as the greater threat to the outlook of the country rather than big government (52% vs. 47%). That’s a 28-point reversal since 2019 — three years before ChatGPT burst onto the scene — when more were concerned about the government (58%) than tech companies (35%).
FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS DOUBT NEW AGREEMENT WILL STOP IRAN FROM DEVELOPING NUKES
The swing toward a greater dread of Big Tech can be seen across most groups, with only a few exceptions, like very conservative voters (by 11 points) and moms (+8), who view big government as the bigger villain. Republicans and independents are split on which is worse.
«As AI integrates into daily life, voters are reevaluating where power resides,» says Democratic pollster Chris Anderson, whose firm Beacon Research conducts the poll with Republican Daron Shaw. «Concerns about government overreach are shifting toward tech companies, as voters question whether rapid growth has concentrated too much power in institutions largely outside of public accountability.»
Feelings on AI remain a mixed bag. Equal numbers describe it as either innovative or helpful or a bad idea (14% each). Another 12% are cautious, 10% say afraid or dangerous, 9% have mixed feelings, while excitement and curiosity/interested sit at 7% each. Fewer mention threats to jobs (5%), general confusion (4%), potential for abuse (3%), more research and privacy and regulation issues (2% each), fears of science fiction (1%), and preventing data centers (1%).
FOX NEWS POLL: MOST RATE THE ECONOMY NEGATIVELY, INCLUDING HALF OF REPUBLICANS
The share saying they’re afraid of AI, or it is dangerous has dropped from 16% in 2023 to 10% today, as most demographics feel less negative about AI. The clear exception is voters ages 65 and up, who mostly still feel afraid, concerned, or just don’t like it.
There is also a modest rise in those who feel cautious or distrust the booming technology: from 8% in 2023 to 12% today.
On the flip side, the number saying they find AI to be innovative and helpful has doubled from 7% in 2023 to 14% today. While most demographics feel more positive toward AI compared to 2023, this tendency is especially pronounced among voters under age 30 and nonwhite voters, each seeing double-digit increases in positive sentiment.
Daily AI usage is on the rise: 18% of voters say they use the technology every day, up from 11% last June.
The increase mainly comes from more men (+10 points since June 2025) and independents (+13) saying they use AI daily. Despite their skepticism, voters 65 and over say they are using it more as well (+4). Daily usage for voters under 30 is up 8 points since last summer.
Still, many say they rarely (21%) or never (32%) use it, roughly the same as last summer.
Voters balk at building AI infrastructure in their backyard. Two-thirds (67%) oppose having data centers in their area, including 43% who strongly oppose it, while one-third favor it (32%).
Most groups oppose data centers, but the strength of opposition varies. Fewer than 6 in 10 men, Hispanic voters, voters under 30, and Republicans oppose them, while opposition increases to roughly 7 in 10 or more among women, White voters, those ages 65+, and Democrats.
Some of the only groups to favor data centers being built are those who find AI innovative (68% favor) and those who use AI at least weekly (54%).
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«AI data centers emerging as a political issue is one of the most intriguing storylines of 2026,» says Shaw. «Opposing them is a short-term win, but attitudes about AI efficacy and regulation remain fluid.»
Even with mixed views on AI, a large majority remain confident they control technology (79%), rather than tech controlling them (20%) — the same as nearly 30 years ago.
Women, voters ages 65+ and Republicans are slightly more likely to feel they have a grip on technology compared to men, those under 30, and Democrats.
Conducted June 12-15, 2026, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,002 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (101) and cellphones (644) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (257). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis, and voter file data.
fox news poll, politics, artificial intelligence, technologies, republicans, democratic party, understanding ai
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