Former president Donald Trump marked Holy Week in a way never before undertaken by a political candidate. “Happy Holy Week!” Trump said in a video posted on his social media site. “Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible.” The bible sells for $59.99.
In addition to the text from the King James version of the bible, the text includes the text of the American Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Trump’s promotion of the new edition of the bible will not apparently benefit his campaign coffers, which run far behind President Joe Biden’s at the moment.
The website selling the bibles includes the disclaimer, “GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organisation, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates.”
The website does say that the company selling the bibles had a licensing agreement with the former president but did not disclose how much money Trump stood to make from the arrangement. Trump recently also endorsed patriotic sneakers, and has previously made licensing agreements for such non-political products as steaks and perfume.
Progressive religious groups and leaders were quick to pounce. Vote Common Good, a non-profit started by liberal evangelical pastor Doug Pagitt, sent out its own fundraising pitch about the Trump bibles, which also touted Pagitt’s appearance on CNN to discuss Trump’s bibles. “He is trying to message to Christians that he is the candidate that supports the Bible.” Pagitt said the sales pitch was part of Trump’s affinity for Christian nationalism, an ideological attempt to conflate the Christian faith with American political ideals, and encourage the government to privilege Christianity.
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, who is pastor at Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church noted that Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple during Holy Week and compared Trump’s bible to the moneychangers desecration of the holy. “The bible doesn’t need Trump’s endorsement,” Warnock said.
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