Major Controversies Surrounding Franklin Graham: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Franklin Graham.

Franklin Graham is a prominent American evangelist, missionary, and political commentator within the evangelical movement. As the son of Billy Graham, he leads both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan's Purse, a major international Christian humanitarian aid organization. Under his leadership, Samaritan's Purse has become a leading global provider of emergency assistance in crisis zones, responding to events in regions such as Ukraine and Pakistan. Graham is considered a highly influential evangelical leader in the United States, overseeing a charitable organization that receives substantial private donations.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 11, 2001: Graham calls Islam evil after 9/11

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Franklin Graham referred to Islam as "a very evil and wicked religion."

April 18, 2003: Graham Preaches at the Pentagon

On April 18, 2003, Franklin Graham preached at a Good Friday service at the Pentagon.

2003: Graham Supported the 2003 Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Graham supported the Invasion of Iraq.

2005: Graham Argues Against Indictment of al-Bashir

In 2005, Franklin Graham argued that Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir should not be indicted for alleged genocidal acts because the indictment would lead to the collapse of the peace agreement.

2008: Compensation Concerns

In 2008, Franklin Graham's compensation from Samaritan's Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) totaled $1.2 million, raising concerns about his earnings.

March 2009: Graham Argues Against Indictment of al-Bashir

In March 2009, Franklin Graham argued in The New York Times that Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir should not be indicted for alleged genocidal acts.

December 2009: Graham's Controversial Remarks on Islam

In December 2009, Franklin Graham made controversial remarks against Islam saying, "True Islam cannot be practiced in this country,".

2009: Salary Scrutiny

In 2009, Franklin Graham faced scrutiny for simultaneously drawing full-time salaries from Samaritan's Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), leading to questions about his compensation and time commitment.

April 22, 2010: Pentagon Rescinds Graham's Invitation

On April 22, 2010, after objections from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and the Muslim group Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Pentagon rescinded Graham's invitation from the Christian conservative National Day of Prayer Task Force to speak at a Pentagon National Day of Prayer event.

August 19, 2010: Comments on President Obama's Faith

On August 19, 2010, Franklin Graham questioned President Barack Obama's Christian faith, suggesting he was born a Muslim due to his father's Islamic background.

August 30, 2010: Graham Calls Islam a Religion of Hatred

In the August 30, 2010, issue of Time magazine, Franklin Graham reportedly said that Islam "is a religion of hatred. It's a religion of war."

September 2010: Statement on Churches and Synagogues in Islamic Countries

In September 2010, Franklin Graham stated that building churches and synagogues is forbidden in most countries in the Islamic world.

2010: Legal Action Against Venues

In 2010, Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) took legal action against multiple venues, arguing that their cancellations violated the UK Equality Act.

March 2011: Claims of Obama Administration Ties to Muslim Brotherhood

In March 2011, Franklin Graham claimed in an interview with Newsmax that officials in the Obama administration had connections to the Muslim Brotherhood.

February 28, 2012: Response to NAACP Letter

On February 28, 2012, Franklin Graham responded to an open letter from the NAACP and other faith leaders, who criticized his statements questioning President Obama's Christianity, urging him to avoid using Christianity as a political weapon.

May 8, 2012: Graham supports North Carolina Amendment 1

On May 8, 2012, Graham supported North Carolina Amendment 1, which was passed by a voter referendum prohibiting same-sex marriage and all domestic partnerships.

May 9, 2012: Graham Responds to Obama's Support for Same-Sex Marriage

On May 9, 2012, Franklin Graham responded to Obama's statement of support for same-sex marriage, saying Obama "shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage".

February 28, 2014: Graham Defends Putin's Policy on "Nontraditional Sexual Relations"

On February 28, 2014, Franklin Graham defended aspects of Russian President Vladimir Putin's policy that banned "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors," arguing it protected children.

December 2015: Franklin Graham Leaves Republican Party

In December 2015, Franklin Graham resigned from the Republican Party, citing disagreements over funding for Planned Parenthood and expressing disillusionment with mainstream politics.

2015: Salary Controversy Resurfaces

In 2015, Franklin Graham was again criticized for resuming his salary from BGEA, with his annual compensation exceeding that of CEOs at similar non-profit organizations.

December 2017: MPs Urge Ban on Graham from UK

In December 2017, several British MPs urged the Home Secretary to consider refusing UK entry to Franklin Graham from speaking at an event due to take place in Blackpool.

2017: Opposition to Conversion Therapy Ban

In 2017, Franklin Graham spoke against a bill proposing to ban conversion therapy, referencing Leviticus 18:22 and defining homosexuality as a sin.

February 2018: Petition Against Graham UK Visa

As of February 2018, a petition against Graham being granted a visa to the UK had gathered more than 7,500 signatures.

September 2018: Graham UK Visit

In September 2018, several British MPs urged the Home Secretary to consider refusing UK entry to Graham from speaking at an event due to take place in Blackpool.

2018: Ad Removal in Blackpool

In 2018, Blackpool Borough Council removed advertisements for Franklin Graham’s Lancashire Festival of Hope from local buses due to complaints about his past comments on Islam and same-sex marriage.

April 2019: Attack on Pete Buttigieg's Homosexuality

In April 2019, Franklin Graham criticized Pete Buttigieg for his homosexuality and marriage to another man, stating that the Bible defines homosexuality as sin.

November 21, 2019: Graham Suggests Opposition to Trump is Demonic

In a November 21, 2019, interview, Franklin Graham suggested that opposition to Trump was the work of a "demonic power".

2020: Events Cancelled due to concerns

In 2020, Graham’s events in multiple UK cities faced cancellations by local authorities and venue operators, often due to concerns about his past comments on LGBTQ+ issues and Islam.

2020: UK Tour Cancelled

In 2020, all venues booked for Franklin Graham's planned eight-city UK tour were cancelled following protests by LGBTQ+ activists and local councils due to his controversial statements.

January 2021: Graham Compares Impeachment Voters to Judas

In January 2021, Franklin Graham compared the ten Republican members of the House who voted to impeach Trump to Judas Iscariot.

March 2022: Graham Visits Ukraine and Calls for Ceasefire

In March 2022, Franklin Graham visited Ukraine after the Russian invasion and called for a 10-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in observance of the Easter holiday.

2022: Events Cancelled due to concerns

In 2022, Graham’s events in multiple UK cities faced cancellations by local authorities and venue operators, often due to concerns about his past comments on LGBTQ+ issues and Islam.

2025: Graham Crusade Coincides with Political Dynamics

In 2025, Franklin Graham’s crusade in Ethiopia coincided with a period of shifting political dynamics between Ethiopia’s government and the Trump administration.