With chaos and consternation raging in recent days surrounding Monday’s meeting of the Electoral College to officially elect Republican Donald Trump, an intriguing tidbit of information flew somewhat under the radar.
Trump, who appeared at one of his “thank you” rallies in Mobile, Alabama, on Saturday, publicly credited Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham, with being “instrumental” in his electoral victory.
And while it’s not necessarily Earth-shattering, the claim is certainly intriguing and worthy of deeper exploration..
“I want to thank so many great people, but having Franklin Graham, who was so instrumental, I tell you, we won so big, with evangelical Christians, we won so big,” Trump said. “Look at him, he worked so hard. Thank you, Franklin. Anybody that has anything to do with the great Billy Graham, I love. And that’s his son, and that son is great.”
Watch Trump’s comments at the 5:19-mark:
It’s an intriguing slice of credit for Trump to so fervently give, considering Franklin Graham never endorsed a candidate during the 2016 election cycle. That said, the evangelist did frequently speak to the issues of the day and oft-times made proclamations that were certainly more friendly to Trump than they were his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
And, as Christian Today reported, Graham also proceeded to thank Trump and to proclaim that he believes the Republican’s election was essentially an answer to prayer.
“Since the election there’s been a lot of discussion as to how Donald Trump won the election. And I don’t have any scientific information. I don’t have a stack of emails to read to you, but I have an opinion,” he said. “I believe it was God. God showed up, he answered the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people across this land that have been praying for this country.”
.@franklin_graham leads Alabama crowd in prayer saying "it was God" who helped @realDonaldTrump to victory pic.twitter.com/NxObsruWvQ
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) December 17, 2016
Prayer, of course, was a central piece of Graham’s own platform this past year, as he traveled to state capitols across the nation on his “Decision America” tour, encouraging thousands of Americans to turn to God in prayer.
And while Graham didn’t endorse either candidate, his daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, did publicly come out in support of Trump before the Nov. 8, election, appearing on Fox & Friends to break down her views on the Supreme Court and more.
Still, Franklin Graham himself came close to making his electoral choice known during an interview early last month with Faithwire, as he spoke to the issues of the day and vocally took aim at Clinton.
“It’s about the Supreme Court,” Graham told Faithwire of the election. “It’s not about Donald Trump’s bad behavior and his bad mouth; it’s not about Hillary Clinton’s lies and deceit and money launderi ng through the Clinton foundation.”
He continued, “This is about the Supreme Court, and you have to decide who do you trust to appoint the Supreme Court justices … because the Supreme Court is going to affect our life and my grandchildren’s lives.”
(H/T: Christian Today)
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