Omar Bennett
The God Bless the U.S.A. Bible, also known as the Trump Bible, is a compilation of texts related to American Civil Religion and Trumpism. It includes an edition of the King James Version of the Christian Bible, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and other documents. The Trump Bible has been criticised for profaning the sacred for profit and politics, promoting Christian nationalism, and for its poor production quality. While it is common for US presidents to be sworn in while placing a hand on a Bible, it is not a legal requirement, and Trump did not do so during his second inauguration in 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | God Bless the U.S.A. Bible |
| Other Names | Trump Bible |
| Compiled By | Country music singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood |
| Published | 2021 |
| Contents | An edition of the King James Version of the Christian Bible, the Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the chorus of Greenwood's song |
| Price | $59.99 |
| Missing Amendments | 11-27 |
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What You'll Learn
The Trump Bible's contents
The Trump Bible, also known as the "God Bless the U.S.A." Bible, is a compilation of texts related to American Civil Religion and Trumpism. It was created by country music singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood and first published in 2021. The contents of the Trump Bible include an edition of the King James Version of the Christian Bible alongside texts specific to the foundation and politics of the United States. These texts include the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The inclusion of these secular documents within the Bible has sparked controversy, with some critics arguing that it promotes a form of Christian nationalism and threatens the separation of church and state.
The Trump Bible was later marketed by Donald Trump under his brand name as part of his 2024 presidential campaign. The website selling the Bible bills it as "the only Bible endorsed by" Trump, with his "name, likeness, and image" used under a paid license from CIC Ventures LLC. The Bible is priced at $59.99 and is described as "easy-to-read" with "large print" and a "slim design." However, some reviewers have criticized the quality of the Bible, noting issues with the binding and readability.
The decision to include the U.S. Constitution in the Trump Bible is notable, especially considering the absence of any mention of religion in the original document. Article VI of the Constitution states that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States," highlighting the intended separation of church and state. This contrasts with the implication of the Trump Bible's subtitle, "God Bless the USA," which suggests that the political content within is divinely inspired.
While the specific contents of the Trump Bible have sparked debate, the act of endorsing a particular edition of the Bible by a political leader has also drawn criticism. Some argue that it profanes the inclusive character of the Holy Writ, claiming that the Bible should not be associated with any individual, group, or political party. The commercialization of the Bible by Trump, including the pricing and branding, has also been criticized as a money grab and an attempt to profit from a text of religious significance.
The Trump Bible has sparked a range of reactions, from religious leaders, politicians, and the public. Some, like evangelical pastor Loran Livingston, have denounced it as "blasphemous" and "disgusting," while others, like Democratic state senator Mary Boren, have criticized it as a violation of the separation of church and state. The Bible has also faced scrutiny for its exclusion of amendments 11-27 to the Constitution, drawing attention to the document's flaws and the need for amendments to address omissions and shortcomings.
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The Bible and Trump's campaigns
The Bible has long been a fixture of American political campaigns and inaugurations. Traditionally, incoming presidents place their hand on a Bible while taking the oath of office. At his first inauguration in 2017, Donald Trump followed this tradition, placing his hand on two Bibles—his family Bible and the Lincoln Bible. However, during his second inauguration in 2025, Trump notably broke with tradition by not placing his hand on a Bible. While this act of swearing on the Bible is customary, it is not a legal requirement, and Article VI of the U.S. Constitution specifically states that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Amidst his political campaigns, Trump has also ventured into commercial endeavours, including the sale of the "God Bless the USA" Bible, also known as the Trump Bible. This Bible is an anthology of texts combining the King James Version of the Christian Bible with American civil documents such as the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The creation and marketing of this Bible have sparked intense controversy, with critics arguing that it profanes the sacred nature of religious scriptures by tying them to American politics and Trump's campaign.
The Trump Bible has been denounced by religious leaders as "blasphemous" and "disgusting," and it has been accused of promoting Christian nationalism by conflating American identity with holy scripture. This endorsement of a specific Bible edition by a political leader is unprecedented and has been seen as a desecration of the Bible's divine purpose, which transcends human understanding and ownership. The Bible's website, however, denies any political affiliation with Trump or his campaign, stating that it merely uses his name and likeness under a paid license.
The inclusion of secular documents like the Constitution in the Trump Bible has also been criticised. The Constitution, with its historical accommodations of slavery and numerous amendments, stands in contrast to the spiritual nature of the Bible. The commingling of these texts blurs the separation of church and state, threatening the First Amendment and potentially endangering the rights of religious minorities, women, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Trump's use of the Bible in his campaigns and commercial ventures reflects a complex interplay between politics and religion in American culture. While some view his endorsement of the Bible as a means to "make America pray again," others see it as a profanation of sacred scriptures for personal gain and political profit.
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The Bible and Trump's inauguration
The Bible played a significant role in Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th President of the United States. During the ceremony, which took place on January 20, 2017, Trump was sworn in using two Bibles: his personal copy, which was given to him by his mother, and the historic Lincoln Bible, which was also used by Abraham Lincoln during his inauguration in 1861. An estimated 300,000 to 600,000 people attended the inauguration, which included concerts, a swearing-in ceremony, a parade, and an inaugural address by Trump.
Trump's use of the Bible during his inauguration carried a different weight in light of his subsequent endorsement of the "God Bless the USA" Bible, also known as the Trump Bible. This Bible is an anthology of texts related to American Civil Religion and Trumpism, including the King James Version of the Christian Bible and various American political texts such as the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Trump Bible was first published in 2021 by country music singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood and was later marketed by Trump under his brand name as part of his 2024 presidential campaign.
The commercialization and politicization of the Bible by Trump have been criticized by many, including religious leaders and academics. Some argue that it promotes a form of Christian nationalism that threatens the separation of church and state. Others criticize the mixing of secular political documents with holy scripture, seeing it as a desecration of the Bible's divine purpose. The Trump Bible has also been described as a "money grab," with some pointing out its low production cost relative to its selling price.
Trump's use of the Bible during his inauguration and his later endorsement of the Trump Bible highlight the complex interplay between religion and politics in American society. While the Bible has played a significant role in many presidential inaugurations, the commercialization and politicization of the text by Trump have sparked debates about the appropriate separation of church and state in the United States.
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Reactions to the Trump Bible
In 2024, Donald Trump began selling special editions of the King James Version of the Bible, known as the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible. The Bible contains copies of the founding documents of the United States, including the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the lyrics to Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA. The front of the Bible features an embossed USA flag, and the back contains glossy pages with illustrations of iconic American symbols.
Trump's decision to sell the Bible has elicited a range of reactions from different quarters. On the one hand, some people have expressed outrage and criticism. For instance, pastor Loran Livingston, a conservative evangelical leader in North Carolina, described the Bible as "blasphemous" and "disgusting." Livingston's reaction stems from his perspective as a religious leader, considering the sacred nature of the text.
Additionally, some evangelical leaders have taken issue with Trump's use of religious imagery in his political campaigns. They view Trump's characterization of his campaign as a "righteous crusade" against "atheists, globalists, and Marxists" as inappropriate. They argue that mixing politics and religion in this way dilutes the sanctity of their faith and believe that Trump is using religious symbolism to appeal to a specific voter base.
On the other hand, some of Trump's supporters see his Bible as a representation of something special. They appreciate his efforts to promote Christianity and view his Bible as a symbol of his support for their religious beliefs. This positive reaction is likely influenced by their alignment with Trump's political and religious views.
Furthermore, some analysts have suggested that the uproar over Trump's Bible signing may have more to do with psychology than theology. They argue that the focus on Trump's actions helps people avoid confronting their fears about mortality and the devastation caused by disasters. This concept, known as mortality salience in social psychology, explains why people might be more interested in discussing Trump's actions than addressing the needs of disaster survivors.
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The Bible's creation and sale
The "God Bless the U.S.A." Bible, commonly known as the Trump Bible, is a compilation of texts related to American Civil Religion and Trumpism. It was created by country music singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood and first published in 2021. The text includes an edition of the King James Version of the Christian Bible, the Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the lyrics to Greenwood's song.
The creation and sale of this Bible have sparked controversy due to its mix of religious and political content. Many Christians view the inclusion of political texts alongside sacred scriptures as inappropriate and a form of profaning the sacred for profit and politics. The Bible's subtitle, "God Bless the USA," further implies that its political content is divinely inspired, promoting a form of Christian nationalism that asserts America as a nation solely for Christians.
The Bible has also faced criticism for its commercial aspect, with some calling it a "money grab" and questioning the quality of its physical production. Additionally, the absence of Amendments 11-27 to the Constitution in the text has been noted.
Despite the criticism, Trump marketed and endorsed the Bible as part of his 2024 presidential campaign, selling it for $59.99 each. The website promoting the Bible claims it to be "the only Bible endorsed by President Trump," emphasizing its ease of reading and convenient design. Trump himself has stated, "All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many... I'm proud to endorse and encourage you to get this Bible. We must make America pray again."
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Frequently asked questions
The Trump Bible, also known as the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible, is an anthology of texts related to American Civil Religion and Trumpism. It includes an edition of the King James Version of the Christian Bible, as well as texts related to the foundation and politics of the United States, such as the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Trump Bible was created by country music singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood and first published in 2021. It was later marketed by Donald Trump under his brand name as part of his 2024 presidential campaign.
In addition to the King James Version of the Christian Bible, the Trump Bible includes the U.S. Constitution before amendments, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the chorus of Greenwood's song "God Bless the U.S.A.". However, it has been noted that the Trump Bible is missing amendments 11-27 to the Constitution.
The Trump Bible has been criticised for tying the Bible to American politics and profaning the inclusive character of Holy Writ. Some religious leaders have called it blasphemous and disgusting, while others have criticised it as a money-making venture that exploits a text of religious significance. The inclusion of specific political documents has also been seen as an attempt to promote a form of Christian nationalism, threatening the separation of church and state.
