The Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelical Association of North Carolina, told Fox News Digital on Friday night that he thanked President Donald Trump on Friday Come to the Tar Heel State to visit and spend time with hurricane survivors.
“The president came today to shake their hands, talk to them and see their homes destroyed – I can’t begin to tell you what that means to these people,” Graham said while sharing his thoughts exclusively with Fox News Friday night Digitization.
“They were so grateful to see the president of the United States in front of them like this. It gave people hope.”
Trump friend and informal faith adviser: ‘God is giving America another chance’
“I’m grateful to President Trump for coming to Western North Carolina for his first official visit this semester. It’s been four months since Hurricane Helene struck the region, and so many people are still suffering tremendous pain,” Graham added.
Graham spent part of the day by Trump’s side as the president toured areas devastated by extreme weather. Samaritan’s Purse has long been on the ground helping displaced residents, providing relief supplies and deploying thousands of volunteers to help clean up flooded homes and more.
Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, speaks during President Donald Trump’s visit to North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Helene on January 24, 2025. Trump is on the right. (Samaritan’s Purse)
As Trump enters the White House to begin his second term, Graham also shared his hopes for the next four years.
“With God’s help, I want to see our country become strong again, and that’s what President Trump wants,” Graham told Fox News Digital.
“If gas prices go down, it helps everyone; if food costs go down, it helps everyone; if housing costs go down, it helps everyone.”
He said he prayed “that God would bless not only America but the world.”
Graham continued: “With God’s help, we may see the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine not only end, but heal. Only with God’s help can America become great — so the bottom line is , I pray that we will not turn our backs on Him.
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Reverend Billy Graham’s son, Billy Graham, also shared his thoughts on prayer at the January 20 inauguration.
“It is an honor to be asked to pray at President Donald J. Trump’s second inauguration,” he said.
Pastor Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, prays during President Trump’s inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Samaritan’s Purse)
“I have always been grateful for the opportunity to point people to the Lord Jesus Christ. God has led President Trump through some dark days.
“He brought him out [to] On the other side, he reached out and saved his life.
“I want to continue to encourage people across the country to pray for the president.”
“President Trump says God put him in office for a reason — and I believe that,” Graham said.
“I want to continue to encourage people across the country to lift up the president in prayer and ask God to guide his steps, protect him and give him wisdom.”
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave as they board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, for their trip to North Carolina and California. (AP Photo/Mark Schiffelbein)
two surviving north carolina natives Hurricane Helen President Trump said something during a visit to hurricane-affected areas on Friday that has stuck with them.
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“He seems like he genuinely cares, and … I’m glad that he’s here, because it feels like we were forgotten or never taken care of under the other administration,” Fairview resident Curtis Wright, who met Trump on Friday, told Fox News digital.
An aerial view of damaged buildings after flooding from Hurricane Helene on October 8 in Bat Cave, North Carolina. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Immediately following his visit to North Carolina, Trump and first lady Melania Trump flew to California to inspect the damage caused by wildfires and speak with local officials and residents.
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Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin also contributed.
