Former President Donald Trump has embarked on a unique fundraising effort by promoting a product on his Truth Social platform: the Bible. In a sales video released during Holy Week, Trump urged followers to “Make America Pray Again” and encouraged them to purchase the God Bless The USA Bible for $59.99.
Partnering with musician Lee Greenwood, known for his song “God Bless The USA” often played at Trump’s rallies, the Bible includes the U.S. The content of the God Bless The USA Bible includes the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a handwritten version of the song’s chorus.
While the website for the Bible asserts that the product is apolitical and unrelated to any political campaign, the financial arrangements between the former president and the sales of the product remain undisclosed. Therefore, it is unclear how much Donald Trump was paid or stands to be paid for the sales of the God Bless The USA Bible.
Critics Condemn Trump’s Bible Sales
Sarafina Chitika, a senior spokesperson for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, expressed strong opposition to Trump’s sales pitch, citing the controversial incident when Trump posed with a Bible for a photo opportunity following the dispersal of protesters with tear gas. Chitika’s statement suggested that this history tainted Trump’s current promotion of the Bible, likely implying skepticism about the sincerity of his current actions in light of past events.
The Lincoln Project, formerly on Twitter, criticized Trump’s actions as those of an “unrepentant grifter,” suggesting that Trump’s financial desperation led him to sell the ‘God Bless the USA’ Bible. They questioned the profit Trump would gain from each sale.
Similarly, the group Republican Voters Against Trump highlighted Trump’s sale of the Bible during Holy Week, portraying it as another opportunity for him to capitalize on. They characterized Trump as a seasoned grifter, implying that he sees everything as a chance for financial gain.
The release of Trump’s latest product evoked memories of a controversial moment during his presidency. As president, Trump faced criticism when law enforcement forcibly cleared protesters from a park near the White House, after which he walked to a nearby church and posed with a Bible for a photo opportunity. The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington condemned Trump’s actions following this incident.
The timing of Trump’s new product launch coincides with his ongoing efforts to raise funds for his campaign and cover legal expenses. Trump initiated the sale of Bibles just a day after a New York appeals court reduced the bond amount for his appeal of a civil court ruling that found him liable for bank fraud. He faces the deadline of posting a $175 million bond by next week.
In addition to the $175 million bond related to the civil court decision on bank fraud, former President Trump also posted a $92 million bond in connection with defamation lawsuits brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll. Furthermore, Trump’s campaign funds trail behind those of President Joe Biden.
The video released by Trump on Tuesday appears to have both political and spiritual undertones. Trump asserted, without providing evidence, that Christians are currently facing threats to their values and are “under siege.” He emphasized the need to “make America pray again,” suggesting a blending of religious sentiment with political messaging.
