On September 27 Donald Trump’s golf course near Aberdeen in Scotland will host a large gathering of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
Described as a £265-a-head “spectacular charity golf tournament” the event is a warm-up ahead of a bigger meeting of evangelicals in nearby Peterhead from October 5 – 9 featuring Billy Graham’s grandson, Will Graham.
There were theories that this could be part of a wider lobbying exercise by Trump to secure Billy Graham’s backing, as Mitt Romney did in 2012. Now aged 97, Graham remains “sharp” according to friends, and still commands the respect of many Christian Americans.
But a local spokesman for the BGEA is adamant that there is nothing to it: “It’s just a coincidence that this event is happening at Mr Trump’s golf course,” he says. “We have a good relationship with the course and we were offered a great rate.”
Might Billy Graham endorse Trump?
“I can tell you as of today there are no plans to endorse him. Billy Graham knows both candidates and meets with them sometimes but I’m not aware there will be any endorsement.”
Graham was the spiritual advisor of several presidents including Richard Nixon, who told Trump in a 1987 letter that his wife, Pat, thought he’d make a great leader.
There’s still time for Graham to change his mind.