Donald Trump appeared in a taped video Tuesday, seated at the Oval Office desk, reading aloud from 2 Chronicles to an audience watching via livestream. The passage he selected has gained traction among conservative circles: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
The reading took place as part of "America Reads the Bible," a week-long event organized by Bunni Pounds, founder of Christians Engaged, a Christian nationalist get-out-the-vote organization. Five hundred readers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, are rotating through Bible passages over the course of the event.
The timing of Trump's appearance drew immediate skepticism from religious scholars and progressive faith leaders. Jemar Tisby, a historian focused on racial justice and Christianity, posted: "You cannot quote the Bible while justifying violence, war and exclusion." Doug Pagitt, executive director of Vote Common Good, offered a more direct challenge: "If you like reading the Bible, try living it."
The skepticism reflects a long pattern. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump claimed the Bible was his favorite book yet could not name a single verse. At a church event, he referred to communion as "my little wine" and "my little cracker," then placed cash on a communion plate. He has stated he has never asked God for forgiveness and once referred to the book of Second Corinthians as "Two Corinthians." During his second inauguration this year, he chose not to place his hand on a Bible.
Trump has also faced backlash over images posted on his social media depicting him as Jesus Christ, as well as repeated attacks on Pope Francis, whom he accused of being "soft on crime."
The list of readers at the "America Reads the Bible" event reveals the ideological bent of the project. Christians Engaged has described homosexuality and same-sex marriage as "abominations" on its website. The Faith and Liberty ministry, represented among the readers, lobbied against legislation that would have provided anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, warning that "America the Brave will turn into 'America the Queer.'" Her Voice Movement, also featured, charges $4,000 monthly for membership that includes an ebook and T-shirt, framed as a way to combat what the organization calls an LGBTQ+ "crisis."
Author James Rodriguez: "Trump's Bible reading looks less like religious conviction and more like damage control after alienating evangelicals with that AI Jesus photo and his Pope feuds."
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