Rev. Franklin Graham, one of the most prominent evangelical leaders in the country, has continued urging former President Donald Trump to rein in his use of profanity at campaign rallies. He points to scripture as a warning about the power of words. His appeal, rooted in Matthew 12:36, highlights the spiritual and cultural impact of language, especially when spoken from a position of influence.

In a recent post on X, Graham shared his thoughts on the matter, referencing his interview with Deseret News in which he discussed a letter he previously sent to Trump. In the letter, Graham advised Trump that his storytelling would be even more powerful if he refrained from using foul language.

“President Donald J. Trump has mentioned several times publicly a letter I wrote to him about his use of ‘salty’ language,” Graham explained. “Your storytelling is great, but it could be so much better if you didn’t use foul language.”

Trump, however, has publicly rebutted Graham’s concerns, stating at a campaign rally last year that he believes using an occasional swear word helps emphasize his points. Nevertheless, he admitted he has been making an effort to curb his language at events, a change Graham believes suggests his message resonated.

“It seems like when he slips momentarily, my letter comes to his mind, and he tells the audience about it, so it must have struck a chord with him,” Graham noted.

Graham’s concern extends beyond just one individual—it’s about setting a higher standard for public discourse, particularly among leaders with far-reaching influence. As the CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, he believes that Trump, as a global figure, has a responsibility to set an example.

“The president, his pulpit—his microphone—is huge, and it carries a lot of weight,” Graham said. “So I’m going to continue to try to encourage him. He’s not just the president of this country. He is a world figure that other nations, other presidents, and other people look up to and want to emulate. … That microphone goes a long way.”

For Graham, Trump’s influence makes the words he chooses all the more important. By referencing Matthew 12:36—‘I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak’—he emphasizes that words have weight in both a cultural and spiritual sense.

Even as Trump has insisted he disagrees with Graham’s take on the matter, he has acknowledged making an effort to limit profanity in his speeches. At a past rally, he stated, “I’ve been working so hard” to avoid swearing but added that, given the length of his speeches, he believes using “one or two” curse words should be acceptable.

While Graham continues to encourage Trump to uphold a higher standard in his rhetoric, his overall support for the former president remains steadfast. Though he has never officially endorsed a candidate, he has repeatedly spoken highly of Trump’s leadership and policies, calling him one of the most effective presidents in modern history.

In 2021, Graham likened Republican lawmakers who voted for Trump’s impeachment to Judas Iscariot, highlighting his belief in the former president’s positive impact. He has also publicly dismissed legal challenges against Trump as politically motivated and recently delivered an invocation at Trump’s second inauguration.

Graham’s stance reminds us that faith and leadership go hand in hand. While Trump may continue to use language that Graham and many evangelicals find troubling, the reverend remains committed to his role as a spiritual advisor, challenging leaders to reflect Christian values in all aspects of their public life.

As Graham continues to call for civility in political discourse, his message remains clear: Words matter—not just in shaping culture but also in the eyes of God.