In an exclusive interview with Premier, Rev. Franklin Graham shared his reflections on President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, addressing the unexpected moment when Trump did not place his hand on a Bible while taking the oath of office. According to Graham, the incident was not deliberate.
“Chief Justice Roberts walked up very quickly,” Graham explained. “He did not give time for Melania and the family. Trump was supposed to be sworn in by 12, and I think it was 12:01, so he started administering the oath before Melania even got up there with the Bibles. It was just an awkward situation, but it wasn’t intentional.”
Graham, who has been a close spiritual advisor to Trump, delivered the invocation prayer at the inauguration ceremony for the president, his family, and his team on January 20. “First of all, you want to honor God," said Graham, "But at the same time, you want the focus of the prayer to be for the president, that God would guide and direct him, and that people would be reminded to pray for him.”
Trump’s Character and Faith
Reflecting on Trump’s character, Graham observed how the former president has evolved over the years, particularly after surviving an assassination attempt. “He’s always been a driven person. He’s an incredibly hard worker, but this time, he’s a little more mellow. He’s toned down a little bit but, at the same time, he’s very focused. I think he realizes that God saved his life for a reason,” Graham noted.
A vocal supporter of Trump’s policies, Graham discussed the president’s controversial stance on immigration. While many prominent Christian figures, such as the Pope, have criticized Trump’s approach, Graham deemed it necessary to uphold the rule of law.
“Every country has borders and laws. You can’t go into the UK without permission – the same thing with Russia or China or India or Mexico,” Graham stated. “President Trump wants to reinstate the rule of law. I don’t think the Pope understands the problem. He’s flown around in his private jet; I don’t think he has to carry a passport.”
Graham underscored Trump’s commitment to prioritizing American interests while remaining mindful of broader global Christian issues. “President Trump has been demonized by the media for eight years, but finally, the American people woke up and realized that everything the media has been saying has been untrue. In this election, the vast majority of Americans voted to support him,” he asserted.
Helping the Poor and Building a Strong Economy
Addressing concerns about Trump’s ability to help the poor despite his wealth and connections with powerful figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, Graham expressed confidence in Trump’s economic policies.
“If we can make our oil and natural gas available, it’s going to bring fuel prices down. That will bring food prices down, so that helps the poor,” he argued. “If you have a strong economy, your poor are going to be helped. Trump is a realist. Government cannot solve all the problems we face, but it can make a safe place for business to work, and people will benefit.”
A Second Term Focused on Faith
When asked about his role as a spiritual advisor during Trump’s second term, Graham emphasized prayer as his primary responsibility. He also praised Trump’s openness to Christian perspectives and his willingness to defend religious freedoms.
“My role is just to pray. If he asks me a question, I’ll answer it, but I also want to encourage people to pray for him, because he cannot do his job without God,” Graham concluded. “America will never be great again if we turn our back on God.”
