President Trump will attend Rev. Billy Graham’s funeral

President Donald Trump is set to attend the funeral for famed evangelist Rev. Billy Graham on Friday.

Graham, an evangelist and spiritual adviser to numerous presidents, died last week at his home in North Carolina. 

He was 99.

Before his funeral on Friday, Graham will be afforded the rare tribute of lying in honor in the US Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday and Thursday. 

President Donald Trump is set to attend the funeral for famed evangelist Rev. Billy Graham in North Carolina on Friday. They are pictured above at his 95th birthday in 2013 

President Donald Trump is set to attend the funeral for famed evangelist Rev. Billy Graham in North Carolina on Friday. They are pictured above at his 95th birthday in 2013 

It is the first time a private citizen has been accorded such recognition since civil rights hero Rosa Parks in 2005.

He is to be buried on the grounds of his namesake library in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday.

The White House has confirmed that Trump will be attendance at Graham’s funeral.  

Trump said last week that Graham was a ‘great man’ who had a ‘great family’ and was ‘for us’ – meaning Trump’s campaign – from the beginning. 

First Lady Melania Trump also paid tribute, writing: ‘Saddened by the loss of Evangelist Billy Graham. He led an impactful life, touching so many people with his spiritual teachings. He will be deeply missed.’

Palbearers carry the body of Rev. Billy Graham to a hearse at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in Asheville, North Carolina on Saturday

Palbearers carry the body of Rev. Billy Graham to a hearse at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in Asheville, North Carolina on Saturday

Thousands of admirers lined the streets of North Carolina over the weekend when the religious leader's body moved across his home state to commence a week of mourning

Thousands of admirers lined the streets of North Carolina over the weekend when the religious leader’s body moved across his home state to commence a week of mourning

Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama tweeted: ‘Billy Graham was a humble servant who prayed for so many – and who, with wisdom and grace, gave hope and guidance to generations of Americans.’

Thousands of admirers lined the streets of North Carolina over the weekend when the religious leader’s body moved across his home state to commence a week of mourning.

Well-wishers had come to the mountain chapel at the training center operated by his evangelistic association in Asheville immediately after his death before a procession started en route to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.

Authorities had set up designated viewing points along the 130 mile route as thousands paid tribute to ‘America’s Pastor’. 

Graham will be laid to rest next to his wife, Ruth, who died in 2007.

About 2,000 people are expected to attend the private, invitation-only funeral. 

Graham, an evangelist and spiritual adviser to numerous presidents, died last week aged 99 at his home in North Carolina 

Graham, an evangelist and spiritual adviser to numerous presidents, died last week aged 99 at his home in North Carolina 



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