Evangelist Franklin Graham is asking Americans to pray for the truth to be known about allegations of election fraud, no matter the outcome.
Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, made the comments on social media Friday morning, one day after the Trump campaign held a press conference alleging voter fraud.
“As we wait for the election results to be finalized, we need to pray,” Graham wrote on Facebook.
The same message was posted on Twitter.
“If there was fraud, let’s pray that God would reveal it, and that those responsible would be found out,” Graham wrote. “On the other hand, if there was no fraud, pray that God would make that known as well. The American people need to know the truth. Please join me in making this a focus of prayer this weekend, asking God to help us know the truth.”
On the other hand, if there was no fraud, pray that God would make that known as well. The American people need to know the truth. Please join me in making this a focus of prayer this weekend, asking God to help us know the truth. 2/2
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) November 20, 2020
Trump campaign representative Rudy Giuliani, speaking on Thursday at a press conference, alleged ballot fraud in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia.
Attorney Sidney Powell, appearing at the same press conference, alleged voter fraud through manipulation of voting machines and software made by two companies, Dominion and Smartmatic. Powell claimed the fraud was backed by “communist money through Venezuela, Cuba, and likely China.”
“In terms of the level of corruption we are looking at here, we have no idea how many Republican or Democratic candidates in any state across the country paid to have the system rigged to work for them,” Powell said.
The allegations have divided Republicans and conservatives.
Fox News’ Tucker Carlson on Thursday criticized Powell for not offering proof of her claims.
“What Powell was describing would amount to the single greatest crime in American history,” Carlson said. “... When we checked with others around the Trump campaign – people in positions of authority – they told us Powell had never given them any evidence, either. … Why are we telling you this? We're telling you this because it's true. And in the end, that's all that matters: the truth. It's our only hope.”
Sean Hannity, also of Fox News, urged patience with the claims, saying Americans should want every “legitimate claim of fraud and abuse” investigated.
“Democrats, they don’t care about any of this, because their chosen candidate is in the lead,” Hannity said. “... We deserve answers.”
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) on Thursday pushed back on Powell’s allegations that politicians were paying to have elections rigged.
“If there is fraud out there, it should be brought to the court's attention. … But to insinuate that Republican and Democratic candidates paid to throw off this election I think is absolutely outrageous and I do take offense to that,” she said on the Guy Benson Show. “... I have fought for my country, I've worn our nation's uniform to protect the values and freedoms that our nation espouses. And to have that accusation just offhandedly thrown out there just to confuse our voters across the United States, I think that is absolutely wrong.”
GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel encouraged Americans to be patient.
“Democrats attacked @realDonaldTrump for years with a Russia hoax based on a fake dossier. We are pursuing claims in sworn affidavits to ensure election integrity,” she tweeted Friday. “There is a huge difference!”
Democrats attacked @realDonaldTrump for years with a Russia hoax based on a fake dossier.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) November 20, 2020
We are pursuing claims in sworn affidavits to ensure election integrity.
There is a huge difference! pic.twitter.com/rrR7kf3XMG
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Justin Sullivan/Staff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
