Franklin Graham to President Trump: “The only One who can save us from Hell is Jesus Christ.”
While the majority of United States presidents have openly identified as Christians, President Donald Trump and his administration may uniquely hold the distinction of so frequently and openly invoking the name of Jesus.
Over the years, presidents have traditionally issued Easter proclamations, but at the beginning of Monday’s press briefing, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the beginning of these final days of Lent.
“This Holy Week, President Trump and the First Lady are joining in prayer with Christians celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” she stated. Leavitt went on to say the president would be hosting an Easter lunch on Wednesday with faith leaders to formally commemorate these symbolically significant days leading up to Resurrection Sunday.
This past year, the Trump administration has established a presidential commission on religious liberty and a White House Faith Office that reflects the strong concentration of Christian belief and tradition in the United States.
On Palm Sunday, President Trump shared a letter he received last fall from Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Mr. Graham, who has enjoyed a longstanding friendship with the 45th and 47th chief executive, had reached out to Mr. Trump after the president mentioned to the press he didn’t know if he was going to make it to Heaven.
While speaking with reporters this past October aboard Air Force One, President Trump said:
“I don’t think there’s anything gonna get me in heaven, okay? I really don’t. I think, I think I’m not maybe heavenbound. I may be in heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One—I’m not sure I’m gonna be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”
Hearing that exchange, Franklin Graham decided to privately reach out to President Trump. Here is the heart of what the son of the late Billy Graham wrote:
Maybe you responded in jest, but it is an important issue to know for certain that your soul is secure and will spend eternity in the presence of God. The only One who can save us from Hell is Jesus Christ. You can’t save yourself; I can’t save myself. Good works, prominence, success — none of these get us to Heaven. The only way to Heaven is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
God requires us to turn from our sins and, by faith, believe in our heart that Jesus came to earth, died on the cross for our sins, was buried and God raised Him to life on the third day. If you accept that by faith and invite Him to come into your heart, you ARE heaven bound, I promise you.
The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
You continue to be in my prayers.
Christians and non-Christians alike have long debated and discussed the faith of Donald Trump. While he has been friendly and welcoming to evangelicalism, many have questioned where the president is personally on some of the same doctrinal and theological truths shared by Franklin Graham in his pastoral note. It’s impossible to know what’s in a person’s heart, but the overtness with which Graham communicated models the forthrightness and fervor Christians should possess when witnessing.
President Trump’s decision to share this private letter is more than a mere curious peek into a personal exchange between friends. Instead, it’s a sermon of sorts – one more overt presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that’s being read by people everywhere. It’s a practical blueprint for the confused, a road map for the curious, and a clear declaration aimed at anyone who does not know the Lord and whose eternity is at stake.
Earlier on Tuesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth concluded his press briefing at the Pentagon with a prayer for our troops, saying:
“May God watch over all of them, each day and each night. May His almighty and eternal arms of providence stretch over them and protect them and bring them peace. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The overtness of Christian faith on display at the highest reaches of the United States government is an answer to the prayers of many believers. It also represents a unique opportunity and sacred responsibility for those entrusted with a platform and those who possess the boldness required to speak truth.
