Donald Trump Selling Bibles Sparks Fury From Christians—'Blasphemous Grift'

Former President Donald Trump's latest venture selling Bibles has sparked the fury of Christians.

Trump, who became the presumptive Republican nominee earlier in March, posted a video on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday urging his supporters to buy the "God Bless the USA Bible," inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood's patriotic ballad.

"Happy Holy Week! 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," Trump wrote in the post, alongside a link to a website selling the book for $59.99. It came a day after Trump seemingly compared his legal plight to Jesus Christ's persecution.

And it comes as he faces mounting legal bills while fighting four criminal indictments and a series of civil charges while running to reclaim the White House. On Monday, a New York appeals court agreed to hold off on collecting the more than $454 million he owes following a civil fraud judgment if he puts up $175 million within 10 days.

But the move has sparked the ire of Christians.

Trump selling copies of the Bible "during Holy Week like it's just one more overpriced Trump shoe or steak has really touched a nerve among voters—we've heard from many upset Faithful America members since his video appeared," the Rev. Nathan Empsall, executive director of Faithful America, told Newsweek via email.

"Seeing the indicted, would-be dictator, sell so-called 'patriotic' Bibles does provide a parallel to Holy Week, but it's not with Jesus," Empsall added.

"Trump is doing his best impression of the corrupt moneychangers who profited by ripping off worshippers. Today, much like Jesus overturning the moneychangers' tables, Christians are sick of seeing MAGA's false prophets twist our loving faith for an agenda of hatred and selfishness. The Bible is bigger than any politician, and if Trump really wants to talk about Scripture, I suggest he try actually reading it first. He might actually learn a few things about love, humility, money, and peace."

Others took to social media to express their anger.

"Trump Bibles. This guy and his followers who excuse this crap p*** me off. He has completely trashed our political party & now he's trying to ruin our faith community for his own ends," Heath Mayo, a conservative lawyer, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"If you're a Christian, please speak up & reject this. He's making a mockery of the flock."

Tara Setmayer, a senior advisor for The Lincoln Project, called it "more blasphemous grift."

"There's NOTHING 'holy' about selling Bibles 'endorsed by Trump,'" Setmayer wrote on X.

Another person wrote: "Total blasphemy. No true Christian would support a heathenistic huckster like Trump, who is mocking their religion."

Another wrote: "He is promoting the sale of trump bibles during our most holy week of worship. This is beyond blasphemous and disrespectful to Christians and I'm really p***** off."

Asked for comment about the backlash, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told Newsweek: "These are Never Trump idiots suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome."

The website selling the Bible bills the book as "the only Bible endorsed by President Trump!"

As well as a King James Version translation, it includes copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as a handwritten chorus of "God Bless the USA" by Greenwood.

The website also states that proceeds are not going to the Trump campaign.

"GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign," it says.

"GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates. GodBlessTheUSABible.com uses Donald J. Trump's name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms."

The Bible is the latest commercial venture that Trump has pursued while campaigning for the presidency. Last month, he promoted limited edition gold Trump-branded sneakers for $399.

He has also sold digital trading cards that portrayed him in cartoon-like images as a number of characters, including as a superhero, astronaut and NASCAR driver.

Update 3/27/24, 10:40 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the Rev. Nathan Empsall.