Franklin Graham: No Interest in Federal Money Meant for WHO

Rev. Franklin Graham says his Christian relief charity has no interest in receiving any of the funding President Donald Trump has withheld from the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus.

Samaritan’s Purse, Graham’s international relief charity, has operated a field hospital for coronavirus patients in New York’s Central Park since last month that sparked local opposition, even as its work was recognized at a White House ceremony this week marking the National Day of Prayer.

While the New York Post has reported the charity is under consideration to receive some of the U.S. funding Trump has paused for the U.N. health agency, the evangelist said he doesn’t expect it.

“First of all, it’s not going to come,” Graham, son of the late Rev. Billy Graham, told The Associated Press during a visit this week to thank medical workers at the field hospital. “But it would be too much of a controversy if they gave Samaritan’s Purse a penny. And it’s just not worth it.”

“God provides what we need,” Graham said, adding that “I kind of like not being beholden to the government.”

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