President Trump’s visit to North Carolina ‘gave people hope’: Franklin Graham

The Rev. Franklin Graham, North Carolina president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, told Fox News Digital on Friday night that he appreciated how President Donald Trump came to the Tar Heel State on Friday to visit with, and spend some time with hurricane survivors.

“If the president came today and shook hands with them, talked and see their homes that was destroyed — I can’t tell you what that meant to those people,” Graham said, speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital.

“They were very grateful that the president of the United States showed up for them in that way. It gave people hope.”

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Graham added: “I appreciate it President Trump for coming to western North Carolina for his first official trip of the semester. It’s been four months since Hurricane Helena hit the area, but so many people are still suffering greatly.”

Graham was by Trump’s side for part of the day as the president toured the devastated areas extreme weather. Samaritan’s Purse has long been on the ground helping displaced residents, delivering humanitarian aid and sending thousands of volunteers to clean up flooded homes and more.

The 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. First Lady Melania Trump is on the right. (Samaritan’s Purse)

Graham also shared his hopes for the next four years as Trump settles into the White House for his second term.

“Z God’s helpI would like to make our country stronger again, and that’s exactly what President Trump wants,” Graham told Fox News Digital.

“If gas prices come down, it will help everyone; food expenses come down, it helps everyone; and when housing prices go down, that helps everybody.”

He said he prays that “God blesses not only America, but the whole world.”

“With God’s help,” Graham continued, “we can see the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine not just end, but be healed.” America can only be great with God’s help – that is why I pray most of all that we do not turn away from Him.”

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Graham, son Reverend Billy Grahamalso shared his thoughts on the January 20 inauguration prayer.

“It was a privilege and an honor to be asked to pray at the second inauguration of President Donald J. Trump,” 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’m always grateful for the opportunity to show people Lord Jesus Christ. God has brought President Trump through some dark days.

“He brought him (to) the other side, reached out and saved his life.”

“I want to continue to encourage people across the country to lift up the president in prayer.”

Graham said: “President Trump said that God put him in office for a reason – and I believe that too.

“I want to continue to call on 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 Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews for a trip to North Carolina and California. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Two North Carolina natives who survived Hurricane Helen in September but suffered massive damage from the storm, shared one phrase from President Trump that stuck with him during his visit to the hurricane-ravaged areas on Friday.

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“He seems like he genuinely cares, and … I’m glad he’s here because it feels like we’ve been forgotten or never cared about under another administration,” Fairview resident Curtis Wright, who has been dating, told Fox News with Trump on Friday. Digital.

Aerial view of destroyed and damaged buildings after Hurricane Helen on October 8 in Beth Cave, North Carolina. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Immediately after his stay in North Carolina, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump flew to California see the devastation of forest fires and talk to local officials and residents.

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Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin reported.