Franklin Graham gets blunt about Kamala Harris' policies — and reveals what his father would have thought of Harris



Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, has issued a strong denouncement of Vice President Kamala Harris.

As Blaze News reported, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has issued a cease-and-desist notice to Evangelicals for Harris, a political action committee that supports Harris' presidential candidacy. BGEA sent the notice and a lawsuit threat after Evangelicals for Harris used an old Billy Graham sermon to criticize Donald Trump, making it appear as if Graham would have supported Harris and opposed Trump. BGEA accused Evangelicals for Harris of copyright infringement.

'She has done nothing to support people of faith and what we believe and what we stand for.'

In a new statement about the incident, Franklin Graham said his father never would have supported a candidate like Harris, describing her positions as antithetical to Jesus Christ.

"These people don't have integrity," Graham told Premier Christian News.

"They are trying to make it look like my father would have supported Vice President Harris," he explained. "My father was a strong conservative all of his life, theologically as well as politically. ... He would have never voted for or supported someone like Kamala Harris — someone who is almost anti-Christ in her positions. She has done nothing to support people of faith and what we believe and what we stand for."

Not only does Graham believe that Harris' policies are contrary to the Christian faith, but he thinks Harris would be "a great problem for the church" if she wins the election because he "hasn't seen any evidence of faith in her life."

"My father never would have supported her," Graham reiterated, "but this group is trying to make it look like he does, and it's just not true."

For some unknown reason, Evangelicals for Harris has repeatedly tried to use Billy Graham to attack Trump. The group has also attacked Franklin Graham, accusing him of having "forsaken the Gospel" while alleging he is guilty of "worship of Trump."

Evangelicals for Harris claims its members "merely hold Trump’s own words up to the light of Scripture." But, glaringly, the group never does the same to Harris.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Franklin Graham reveals how God 'spared' Trump's life — then he uses RNC stage to quote scripture, share Christian gospel



Franklin Graham used his speech at the Republican National Convention to share the gospel.

Speaking on the final night of the convention on Thursday, Graham reflected on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and shared his belief that Trump survived because of divine intervention.

'Unite our hearts, bring us together, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty, and justice for all.'

"God spared his life," Graham declared. "And when we go through those experiences, it changes us."

"It can cause us to examine our lives and re-evaluate our priorities, as it should," he continued. "When President Trump rose from that platform, he rose with his fist raised in strength, showing America his unshakeable resolve to fight for them and this nation."

Then Graham used his stage time to share the core message of Christianity, quoting John 3:16.

"I cannot explain why God would save one life and allow another one to be taken. I don't have the answer for that," Graham said.

"But one thing I do know is that God loves us, and he wants us to be with him in heaven one day. And that's through faith in his son, Jesus Christ," he continued. "You see, the Bible says that, 'God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shouldn't perish but should have everlasting life.'"

Afterward, Graham prayed. He asked God to give Trump wisdom. He petitioned for Sen. JD Vance and his family. And most importantly, he asked God to "unite our hearts, bring us together, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty, and justice for all."

— (@)

Faith was a significant component of the RNC, especially after the attempted assassination of Trump.

Not only is it hard to understand how Trump turned his head at the literal perfect time to prevent being murdered, but Corey Comperatore — the lone tragic death from the Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign rally — was a man of strong faith.

Not only did he emulate the self-sacrificial love of Jesus by protecting his family in his final moments of life, but Comperatore was "a man of deep faith who lived his life in honor of Christ and in service to others," according to his pastor Jonathan Fehl.

"Corey was a longtime, faithful member of Cabot Church. His love for Jesus was clear in the way he lived his life. He served his family, his church, his community, and his country, and he did that all with a heart of service to the Lord," Fehl said in a letter to his congregation after the tragedy that was shared with Blaze News.

"Whether it was taking part in a small group, serving on the trustees, or lending his expertise to a building project, he was constantly helping the people around him," Fehl added. "He drew particular strength from the Book of Romans, always telling new Christians they should read that book first."

Comperatore's funeral is being held on Friday.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Millions of people will now see these important Bible verses thanks to a new Billy Graham statue in the US Capitol



Billy Graham, the famed evangelist whose crusades reached hundreds of millions of people, was officially honored at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.

A 7-foot statute of Graham's likeness was unveiled inside the National Statuary Hall during a ceremony that was attended by Graham's family, Speaker Mike Johnson (R), North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D), former Vice President Mike Pence, and other North Carolina lawmakers.

'I think it's providential that it's right here. I think it's the perfect placement.'

"Today North Carolina gives the nation a symbol representing one of our dearest treasures: the Reverend Billy Graham, a man of faith, a man of North Carolina," Cooper said at the ceremony.

The statue depicts Graham holding an open Bible with his left hand, and his right hands points to the text. The Bible is opened to Galatians 6:14, which reads, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

The base of the statue includes two additional Bible verses:

  • John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
  • John 14:6: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Speaker Johnson remarked that he was thrilled of the statue's position — prominently situated near the opening of the Capitol hall — because it means millions of people will be confronted with the Bible verses and Graham's faith.

"I think it's providential that it's right here," Johnson said. "I think it's the perfect placement."

Franklin Graham said that his father would be uncomfortable with Thursday's ceremony "because he would want the focus to be on the one that he preached. He’d want the focus to be on the Lord Jesus Christ."

Known for being a pastor to presidents — counseling Harry Truman to Barack Obama — Graham died in 2018 at the age of 99. Because of his oversized influence, Graham became just the fourth private citizen to lie in honor inside the U.S. Capitol. He was laid to rest at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, next to his wife on March 2, 2018.

Graham's statue replaces the statue of Charles Aycock, a Democrat and segregationist who served as the 50th governor of North Carolina. The campaign to install Graham's statue dates back to 2015.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Rev. Franklin Graham condemns Disney as being 'in the gutter' during blistering rant: A 'moral failure'



Rev. Franklin Graham hit out at the Walt Disney Company in support of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying that LGBTQ+ activists are guilty of "using corporations to force their agenda on the public."

He added that he believes the company has failed its founder, Walt Disney, and that the company is no longer promoting wholesome family values.

What are the details?

In a now-viral Facebook post, Graham — pastor and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association — said that the Walt Disney Company is trying to "flaunt sin."

The post, which has been shared more than 10,000 times at the time of this reporting, read, "LGBTQ activists are using corporations to force their agenda on the public, and companies may want to take another look at what they are allowing to happen."

"Disney," Graham insisted, "has gone too far. The people of Florida have revolted, and it’s going to cost Disney big time. Disney had a special tax status in the state which they benefitted from in a huge way — but because they came out against the parents of Florida, the governor and legislators have revoked that status."

He continued, calling the company's move a "moral failure."

"Walt Disney had a vision for wholesome family entertainment," Graham added. "He was committed to the family. The morals of the corporate leadership of Disney today are in the gutter, and they want to redefine family counter to God’s original design and flaunt sin."

The pastor added that his support and gratitude remains with DeSantis.

"Thank God for Governor Ron DeSantis who is willing to take a bold stand," he insisted. "We need more leaders like him. God bless him and the Florida legislature."

What else?

In a statement, Graham told Newsweek that he is disappointed at how far he believes Disney has fallen.

"My father was friends with Walt Disney and took me to meet him when I was a child. He signed a photo for me, and I have it hanging on the wall in my office. The hour-long program, Walt Disney Presents, that came on every Sunday night was one of the few things as kids that we were allowed to watch on television," Graham told the outlet. "I have always appreciated how Walt Disney offered wholesome family entertainment for millions of families around the world. Those family values are what made Disney such a wealthy and loved company."

He added, "It's incredible how far Disney has fallen morally from its founder. I'm glad Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is standing for what's right, and I hope Christians will continue to pray for the governor and support him."

DeSantis' spokesperson Christina Pushaw also told the outlet that the administration appreciates Graham's remarks.

"We appreciate the message of support from Rev. Franklin Graham and other Americans who are disappointed that Disney has evidently forgotten the reason for its success — 'wholesome family entertainment,'" Pushaw stated. "Given this context, it is especially surprising that Disney would declare war on parental rights in Florida. Governor DeSantis will continue doing what's right for Floridians, and that includes standing up for parents' rights, child protection, and a more even playing field for businesses."

Franklin Graham delivers an Easter message from Ukraine: 'The only hope is God'



Rev. Franklin Graham will deliver an Easter message of hope from war-torn Ukraine, where he has seen the resiliency of the Ukrainian people who are fighting back against an invasion by Russia.

"The people that you meet and talk to [in Ukraine] are strong," Rev. Graham told Fox News. "There's no question there's despair and there's fear. But they are determined they are going to fight for their land. And I just admire the [Ukrainian] people for the stand that they're taking."

Graham said the worst suffering has occurred in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, where there is "famine and great food shortage." The faith leader revealed that four Ukrainian people distributing food through Graham's humanitarian aid charity Samaritan's Purse were recently killed. The victims died "trying to help their own citizens, their own people," Graham said.

"This may be one of the hardest countries that we have worked in," he said of the crisis. "It's a big country, the size of Texas. And transportation is an issue. They have trains, and trucks, and so forth, but fuel is a big issue. You can't always get fuel."

Samaritan's Purse said their team of doctors and nurses has treated over 5,000 Ukrainian patients at six medical sites across Ukraine. The Christian charity has also airlifted more than 232 tons of emergency relief supplies to Ukraine, and utilized a network of over 3,200 churches to share medicine and food.

Graham said the Ukrainian "people are living in the shadow of death," but still have the sense that God is with them.

"It's obvious that these people have a strong faith in God," Rev. Graham continued.

He pointed out that there are more than 5,000 churches in Ukraine, and they are "full on Sunday."

"They're packed. Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Baptist — they're packed. The people's faith is strong in Ukraine right now. Very strong," the CEO and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said.

"In Ukraine, there are billboards that say, 'Our only hope is God.' We need some billboards like that here in this country," he added. "I hope that our nation would wake up and see the problems we're facing and realize that the only hope is God."

"The problem we have in the world today is a sin problem," Rev. Graham stressed. "People have turned their back on God."

"The only hope is God. That's the only hope. Only God can turn [our] nation around," he proclaimed. "This Easter, I pray that people will look to God, pray to him and ask him for his help in all that we do — and that he'll bless the nation."

Graham declared, "But to do that, we've got to repent, turn from our sins and believe on the name of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ."

"We [all] need to repent and turn from our sins. And maybe God will hear us from heaven," Graham advised. "Pray for yourself. Just examine your heart. And if something's not right in your life, confess it to God and turn from it. We need to look at ourselves."

“I will be sharing a message the whole world needs to hear: Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, conquered sin and death 2,000 years ago when He rose victoriously from the grave," Graham said of his Easter message. "This good news changes everything – for individual hearts, for communities, and for entire nations.”

Previously, Graham wrote to Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requesting a ceasefire from April 15-24 in observance of the Easter holiday.

"It's a mess. It's going to get worse, I'm afraid," Graham said of the conflict in Ukraine. "And what President Putin's end game is, I don't know. But I think we just need to pray that God can change his heart."

"And I would recommend for people to pray for Putin. I don't want to be misunderstood," he clarified. "I want people to pray that God would change his heart. And turn his heart around, and that he would see the sin that he's involved in. That he would repent and turn from it."

He added, "And if we pray, that could happen."

"God loves us, and Easter is about God's love," Graham said.

Graham’s Easter message from the Ukrainian city of Lviv airs on Fox News at 12 p.m. EST on Sunday.

'Bless his bigoted, racist heart': Trolls pounce on news that Franklin Graham underwent heart surgery



Franklin Graham underwent heart surgery in Minnesota on Monday and his doctors anticipate that he will make a full recovery.

"Franklin Graham successfully underwent a specialized heart surgery today at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota," Graham spokesperson Mark Barber noted in a statement to Fox News. "In recent months, Franklin had developed constrictive pericarditis, inflammation, and hardening of the sac around the heart that compresses the heart and prevents it from working properly. The surgery involved removing the pericardium.

"His doctors expect a full recovery and assured him that he should be able to return to his normal activity and ministry schedule," Barber noted. "Mr. Graham said that he is looking forward to multiple opportunities across the globe in 2022 to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invite people to put their faith in Him. He is also eager to resume riding his motorcycle by springtime. He and his family appreciate everyone's prayers."

Graham, the president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, is the son of Billy Graham, the renowned Christian evangelist who passed away in 2018 at the age of 99-years-old.

Franklin Graham said in a December 2020 Facebook post that, "President Trump will go down in history as one of the great presidents of our nation, bringing peace and prosperity to millions here in the U.S. and around the world."

Some people on Twitter reacted to the news of Graham's heart surgery by posting vile comments.

"Franklin Graham has a heart?" a tweet read.

"Are they implanting one to fill the empty hole?" another tweet said.

"Getting rid of the black one…" another person wrote.

"He obviously didn't pray hard enough," another person posted.

"So he couldn't pray for it to heal itself and had to rely on science??? The horror!" another tweet read.

"Bless his bigoted, racist heart," another tweet declared.

Bless his bigoted, racist heart.

— Punky Drewster (@PaybackRules) 1636421193

LBGTQ rainbow flag flying at US embassy to the Vatican for Pride Month — and backlash is swift



An LBGTQ rainbow flag is flying at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See for the month of June, which is Pride Month.

"The United States respects the dignity and equality of LGBTQI+ people," the embassy said on its Instagram page regarding the display of the rainbow flag. "LGBTQI+ rights are human rights."

What are the details?

An embassy statement to EWTN News Nightly says in part, "The United States will lead by the power of our example and pursue policy to end violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics."

EWTN reported that in previous years the rainbow flag was not flown for Pride Month at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See but was flown at the U.S. Embassy to Italy. The outlet said the Vatican had no comment.

The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See is not in Vatican City but in the same compound as the U.S. Embassy to the Italian Republic, according to LifeSite.

'Shame on our State Department'

As you might imagine, backlash against the display of the rainbow flag was swift.

Nebraska Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts was not pleased with the move, noting on Twitter that "as a Catholic, I'm curious to know if the Biden-Harris Embassy in the Holy See will promote respect for Catholic teaching on family and freedom of conscience — or whether we can simply expect more political stunts like this."

As a Catholic, I’m curious to know if the Biden-Harris Embassy in the Holy See will promote respect for Catholic te… https://t.co/csFLgOFpDC

— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) 1622594275.0

Evangelical Christian leader Franklin Graham also offered strong words in opposition to the gesture: "Shame on our State Department for allowing the American Embassy at the Vatican to fly the LGBTQ pride flag. What an insult to the Catholic Church! This flag is promoting an agenda, not a country, & to give it equal billing with the American flag is wrong."

Shame on our State Department for allowing the American Embassy at the Vatican to fly the LGBTQ pride flag. What an… https://t.co/BTgEmL9Rys

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) 1622751546.0

Others expressed similar sentiments on the embassy's Instagram page:

  • "Your job is diplomacy NOT touting immorality," one commenter wrote.
  • "This is contrary to Catholic teaching and a slap in the face to actual practicing Catholics," another user declared. "Funny how you don't post this flag in Saudi Arabia and other countries…"
  • "Actually it's the month of the Sacred Heart," another commenter said. "Not the month of using a flag for false niceties."

Anything else?

As TheBlaze recently reported, Republican U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York introduced a bill to prevent political flags other than the American flag from being flown outside U.S. embassies around the world in response to the Biden administration authorizing U.S. embassies to fly LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter flags.

U.S. Embassy to the Holy See Flies Pride Flag for the Month of June | EWTN News Nightlyyoutu.be

Franklin Graham casts 'shame' on House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, likens them to Judas



Franklin Graham delivered a strong rebuke against the House Republicans who voted with Democrats for impeaching President Donald Trump this week, casting "shame" on the GOP members and comparing their action to Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus Christ.

What are the details?

"Shame, shame on the ten Republicans who joined with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in impeaching President Trump yesterday," Graham began in a Facebook post on Thursday, telling the members, "After all that he has done for our country, you would turn your back and betray him so quickly?"

The evangelist went on to sing Trump's praises, listing several of his administration's accomplishments and lauding him as "the most pro-life president we have ever had."

"But the House Democrats impeached him because they hate him and want to do as much damage as they can," Graham continued. "And these ten, from his own party, joined in the feeding frenzy."

In a Biblical reference to the apostle Judas selling out Jesus before his crucifixion, Graham wrote, "It makes you wonder what the thirty pieces of silver were that Speaker Pelosi promised for this betrayal."

Graham went on to admit that "President Trump isn't a perfect person," and that he doesn't "support or agree with some of the things the President said and did the last couple of weeks."

Acknowledging the storming of the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob last week, Graham wrote, "January 6 was a low point in his presidency."

Graham concluded:

We knew he had flaws when he ran for office in 2016. But I, and millions of others, voted for him because of the platform and policies he promised. I still support those. The Democrats have been trying to get rid of the President since the day he took office. What they did yesterday only further divides our nation. I hope President-elect Biden will keep his word and work for unity as he has said.

The Democrat-controlled House voted 232-197 to impeach President Trump on Wednesday, for allegedly inciting the violence that occurred when his supporters attacked the Capitol following a rally held in protest of his loss to President-elect Joe Biden.

When the House voted last year to impeach Trump the first time, no Republican members of the lower chamber joined Democrats. But ten GOP members voted for impeachment on Wednesday, including Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), a member of Republican leadership.

In announcing her decision, Cheney wrote, "There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution."

Tulsi Gabbard introduces bills to protect abortion survivors and pain-capable unborn children



Outgoing Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) has introduced two pro-life bills in the House of Representatives, one to protect abortion survivors and another to protect pain-capable unborn children from abortion.

The first piece of legislation, H.R. 8923, would amend Title 18 of the United States Code "to ensure a health care practitioner exercises the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion." Live Action News reported that this bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The second bill is H.R. 8938, and while the text is currently unavailable, the title of the bill states its purpose is "to protect pain-capable unborn children."

Pro-life Republicans have long supported additional legislative measures to protect unborn children and those that survive abortion procedures, but Democrats generally have blocked efforts to pass such bills. Gabbard herself has voted against similar pro-life bills to the ones she has now introduced.

As a presidential candidate in the 2020 Democratic primary, Gabbard was heavily criticized by members of her party for taking a more moderate position on abortion and supporting some restrictions on abortion in the third trimester.

TheBlaze reached out to Gabbard's office for comment but did not hear back before this article was published.

Gabbard, who will retire from Congress at the end of her current term, has received praise from pro-life groups and activists for her legislation.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Democrats for Life of America thanked Gabbard for introducing the legislation, acknowledging that she previously opposed similar bills.

"Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Tulsi Gabbard introduced her SECOND Pro-Life bill this week, which would amend Title 18 of the U.S. code to give pain-capable fetuses rights under the law," said the pro-life group. "Tulsi has previously voted against this bill three times, but is now the SPONSOR of the new bill. […] thank you Tulsi!"

"Democratic House Rep and former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has introduced two crucial bills, one to protect pain-capable fetuses and another to ensure the provision of healthcare for abortion survivors," Pro-Life San Francisco wrote in a Facebook post. "Both are fundamental to ensuring justice for UCSF's most vulnerable victims of fetal organ harvesting, and we are inspired to see them originate from a left-leaning national legislator. The future of California, the Democratic Party, and all of America is pro-life!"

Activists on the left, however, expressed hostility toward Gabbard because of her legislation.

"Tulsi Gabbard also introduced a redundant bill that claims to protect infants in the infinitesimally rare cases they are born after attempted abortions," feminist Jill Filipovic said, claiming that "infants are already legally protected."

Rewire editor Imani Gandy criticized Gabbard as well, tweeting, "You seem to be under the impression that born alive is a thing. It is not. Shame on you. I don't know what your problem is but you're turning out to be a real right wing s**t heel."

The Rev. Franklin Graham, a prominent evangelical leader and outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, came to Gabbard's defense, asking, "She introduced a bill to protect babies who survive abortions & are born alive. How could any sane person be against that?"

Gabbard thanked Graham for his support.

Thank you, @Franklin_Graham. My best wishes to you and your loves ones this holiday season. Merry Christmas! https://t.co/1MXCzRHxw7
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@Tulsi Gabbard 🌺)1607973770.0

Gabbard's pro-life legislation follows her introduction of a bill to ban males from competing in women's sports if they identify as transgender and the introduction of a bill with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to repeal the Patriot Act.

All of this legislation could attract bipartisan support but is unlikely to pass the Democrat-controlled House.