The Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of North Carolina-based Samaritan's Purse, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, said Friday evening. Visit and spend time with hurricane survivors.
“For the president to come today and shake their hands and talk to them and see their homes that have been destroyed – I can't tell you what it means to these people,” Graham said. will share their thoughts exclusively with Fox News Digital on Friday evenings.
“They were so grateful to see the president of the United States showing up for them like this. It gave people hope.”
Trump's friend and unofficial faith advisor: 'God is giving America another chance'
“We are grateful to President Trump for coming to Western North Carolina for his first official trip of the semester,” Graham said. “It has been four months since Hurricane Helen hit the region, and many People are still suffering very much.”
Graham was at Trump's side for part of the day as the president toured areas devastated by extreme weather. Samaritan's Purse has long been deployed to assist displaced people, deliver relief supplies and deploy 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 damaged by Hurricane Helen on January 24, 2025. (Samaritan's Purse)
Graham also shared his hopes for the next four years as Trump settles into the White House for his second term.
“With God's help, I want to see our country become strong again. That's what President Trump wants,” Graham told Fox News Digital.
“When gas prices go down, it helps everyone. When food costs go down, it helps everyone. When housing costs go down, it helps everyone.”
He said he prays that “God will bless not only America but the world.”
“With God’s help,” Graham continued. Don't turn your back on him. ”
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Graham, the son of the Rev. Billy Graham, also shared his thoughts on prayer at the Jan. 20 inauguration.
“It was a privilege and honor to be asked to pray at President Donald J. Trump's second inauguration,” he said.
Rev. Graham, President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse, prays at President Trump's inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Samaritan's Purse)
“I am always grateful for the opportunity to point people to the Lord Jesus Christ. God brought President Trump through some dark days.
“He took him out [to] The other side reached out and saved his life. ”
“I want to continue to encourage the people of this country to hold the president up in their prayers.”
Graham said, “President Trump said God put him in office for a reason – and I believe that too.
“I want to continue to encourage the people of this country to lift the president up in their prayers and ask God to direct his steps, protect him and give him wisdom.”
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave as they board Air Force 1 at Joint Base Andrews for a trip to North Carolina and California, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Two North Carolina locals who survived hurricane helen In September, however, those suffering massive losses from the storm shared a single phrase from President Trump that stuck with them during his visit to the area affected by the hurricane.
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“He really seems to care. … I'm glad he's here because we feel like under other administrations we've been forgotten or never taken care of. It's digital.
Aerial view of destroyed and damaged buildings in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen's flooding in Bat Cave, North Carolina on October 8. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Shortly after his time in North Carolina, Trump and first lady Melania Trump flew to California to see the devastation the wildfires had spawned and speak with local officials and residents.
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Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed reporting.
