The political action committee known as Evangelicals for Harris has accused lawyers representing evangelist Franklin Graham of trying to remove their ads from social media, which prominently feature footage of Graham’s father, the late Rev. Billy Graham. The controversy began escalating when the PAC launched a $1 million campaign that included clips from Billy Graham’s sermons to contrast with former President Donald Trump.
On social media, the group expressed their frustration, stating, “Knowing he’ll lose in court, [Franklin Graham’s] lawyers are now sending repeat letters to trigger automatic blocks on our accounts. He’s fear (sic) Christians sharing the truth. But we keep winning.” These statements underscore the tensions surrounding their ad’s content, which seemingly aims to draw parallels between Trump’s actions and the moral teachings of Graham.
Legal Tensions Escalate
Last month, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) officially requested that Evangelicals for Harris cease using their copyrighted footage, marking the first public acknowledgment of a dispute. A representative of BGEA noted they typically refrain from commenting on current legal matters, but confirmed that they had raised concerns regarding copyright infringement tied to the political content. “We have communicated directly to this group our concerns about the unauthorized, political use of BGEA’s copyrighted video, and we will continue taking appropriate steps to address the matter,” the spokesperson stated.
Moreover, the BGEA indicated that Reverend Billy Graham, known for his respectful and nonpartisan engagement with political leaders, would likely disapprove of his sermons being utilized in a political light. “He never criticized presidents publicly and would undoubtedly refuse to let his sermons be used to do so, regardless of who is involved,” the spokesperson added.
As the situation evolves, Evangelicals for Harris has crafted a legal response to the cease-and-desist, claiming that their use of Billy Graham’s speeches aligns with the fair use doctrine of copyright law. While the digital battleground of social media becomes increasingly complex amid these legal claims, both sides appear poised to continue their respective fights over the narrative and messaging rooted in the identity of one of America’s most beloved evangelists.
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