Major Controversies Surrounding Franklin Graham: A Detailed Timeline

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

William Franklin Graham III, known as Franklin Graham, is an American evangelist and missionary prominent in the evangelical movement. He heads 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 provider of emergency assistance in global crisis zones, including significant relief efforts in Ukraine and Pakistan. Graham is considered a highly influential evangelical figure in America, overseeing one of the largest charitable organizations in the United States, funded by over a billion dollars in private donations.

Sections (5)

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

September 11, 2001: Comments on Islam After 9/11 Attacks

In the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks, Franklin Graham came under criticism for comments he made about Islam, referring to it as "a very evil and wicked religion."

April 18, 2003: Preaching at Good Friday Service at the Pentagon

On April 18, 2003, Franklin Graham preached at a Good Friday service at the Pentagon, during which he made controversial remarks against Islam.

2003: Support of the Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Franklin Graham voiced his support for the Invasion of Iraq.

2005: Sudan Peace Agreement

In March 2009, Franklin Graham cited the 2005 Sudan peace agreement in his argument against the indictment of Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Graham argued that the indictment would lead to the collapse of the 2005 peace agreement.

2008: Combined Compensation of $1.2 Million

In 2008, Franklin Graham's compensation from both Samaritan's Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) totaled $1.2 million, leading to questions about his dual roles.

March 2009: Argument Against Indictment of Omar Hassan al-Bashir

In March 2009, after the International Criminal Court indicted Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Franklin Graham argued in an op-ed in The New York Times that Bashir should not be indicted for alleged genocidal acts. Graham argued that the indictment would lead to the collapse of the 2005 peace agreement.

December 2009: Controversial Remarks Against Islam

In December 2009, Franklin Graham made controversial remarks against Islam to CNN's Campbell Brown, stating, "True Islam cannot be practiced in this country".

2009: Criticism for Receiving Full-Time Salaries from Two Organizations

In 2009, Franklin Graham faced scrutiny for receiving a full-time salary from Samaritan's Purse while simultaneously receiving a full-time salary from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

April 22, 2010: Pentagon Rescinds Invitation to National Day of Prayer Event

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 Franklin 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 Religious Beliefs

On August 19, 2010, Franklin Graham stated to CNN correspondent John King that President Barack Obama was born a Muslim because his father was a Muslim. He later acknowledged that Obama had renounced Islam and accepted Jesus Christ.

August 30, 2010: Reported Comments on Islam in TIME Magazine

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." He also commented on the building of a cultural center near Ground Zero.

September 2010: Claim on ABC's This Week about Churches and Synagogues in Muslim Countries

In September 2010, Franklin Graham claimed on ABC's This Week with Christiane Amanpour that building churches and synagogues is forbidden in most Muslim-majority countries.

2010: Violated of the UK Equality Act

In 2020–2022, 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. Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association took legal action against multiple venues, arguing that their cancellations violated the UK Equality Act (2010).

March 2011: Claim of Obama Administration Connections to Muslim Brotherhood

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

February 28, 2012: Response to Open Letter from Faith Leaders Regarding Statements

On February 28, 2012, Franklin Graham responded to a letter sent by the NAACP, titled "Open Letter from Leaders of Faith Regarding Statements by Franklin Graham". The letter expressed concern over Graham's questioning of President Obama's Christian faith.

May 8, 2012: North Carolina Amendment 1 Passed

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

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

On May 9, 2012, Graham responded to Obama's statement of support for same-sex marriage, stating, "President Obama has, in my view, shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage."

February 28, 2014: Defense of Putin's Policy on "Propaganda of 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" in an opinion piece titled "Putin's Olympic Controversy: Morality & Nations in a Changing World". Graham argued that the law was intended to protect children from what he considered harmful influences and contrasted it with what he perceived as a decline in American moral standards.

2014: Highest Paid Employee at Samaritan's Purse

According to 2014 data, Franklin Graham was the highest paid Samaritan's Purse employee at $622,252 annually, leading other charities in compensation.

December 2015: Franklin Graham Leaves Republican Party

In December 2015, Franklin Graham left the Republican Party and declared himself independent. His decision stemmed from frustration with a GOP-led budget that continued funding Planned Parenthood, criticizing their fetal tissue donation practices.

2015: Resumption of Salary from BGEA and Increased Compensation

In 2015, Franklin Graham was again criticized when it was revealed he had resumed taking his salary from BGEA, where his annual compensation was significantly higher than that of the CEO's of similar non-profit organizations.

December 2017: British MPs Urge Refusal of UK Entry to Graham

In December 2017, 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, due to concerns about hate speech.

2017: Opposition to Ban on Conversion Therapy

In 2017, Franklin Graham spoke against a bill proposing a ban on conversion therapy, referencing the biblical text of Leviticus 18:22 and stating that homosexuality is defined by God as sin.

February 2018: Petition Against Graham's Visa in the UK

As of February 2018, a petition against Graham being granted a visa to the UK had gathered more than 7,500 signatures, due to his views on LGBT rights.

September 2018: Potential UK Entry Refusal for Graham

In September 2018, there were concerns about potentially refusing entry to Franklin Graham into the UK, related to views on LGBT rights, which was a controversial topic.

2018: Removal of Advertisements for Lancashire Festival of Hope

In 2018, Blackpool Borough Council and Blackpool Transport Services removed advertisements for Franklin Graham's Lancashire Festival of Hope from local buses due to complaints about his past comments.

April 2019: Accusations of Attacking Pete Buttigieg for Homosexuality

In April 2019, Franklin Graham was accused of attacking Pete Buttigieg for his homosexuality and marriage to another gay man after Buttigieg announced his run for the 2020 Democratic nomination for President.

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

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

2020: Cancellations of Graham's Events in UK Cities

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

2020: Cancellation of UK Tour Bookings

In 2020, all venues booked for Franklin Graham's planned eight-city UK tour cancelled his booking after protests by LGBTQ+ activists and local councils.

2020: Pete Buttigieg Presidential Campaign

January 2021: Graham Compares Republicans Who Voted for Trump's Impeachment to Judas Iscariot

In January 2021, Graham compared the ten Republican members of the United States House of Representatives who voted for the second impeachment of Donald Trump Trump to Judas Iscariot, suggesting that the Democrats had promised them "thirty pieces of silver".

2022: Cancellations of Graham's Events in UK Cities

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

2025: Crusade in Ethiopia

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