Franklin Graham strongly rejected Carlson’s claims, saying, “This couldn’t be further from the truth,” and insisting his prayer was about “stopping evil and preventing the murder of innocent civilians.”
He explained that his reference to Esther highlighted how “God used Queen Esther to save the Jewish people,” and emphasized he also prayed for “the people of Iran who want freedom” and for “a quick and peaceful end to this war.”
At a White House event, Graham had prayed using the story of Esther, thanking God for raising up President Donald Trump “for such a time as this,” and asking for protection and victory amid tensions with Iran, framing the situation in biblical terms.
His remarks drew criticism from Tucker Carlson, who accused Protestant leaders of being “spiritually corrupt” and “not preaching Christianity.” Carlson argued Graham’s message “bears no resemblance to Christianity,” claiming it appeared to support violence and lacked the Gospel focus on Jesus, saying, “You’re not preaching the gospel…You can’t murder the innocent.”
