Trump Snubs Bible During Oath, Sparks Social Media Debate
President Donald Trump, inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States, stirred discussions on Monday when he did not place his hand on the two Bibles held by his wife, Melania Trump, during the swearing-in ceremony. The unusual moment sparked widespread speculation on social media, with some users suggesting that Trump might not have noticed the Bibles because Chief Justice John Roberts began administering the oath before the Trump family had fully settled in place.
As the ceremony began, Trump raised his hand to take the oath before Melania could position the Bibles. By the time she reached him, the process was already underway. The timing of the oath also faced scrutiny, as it began a minute later than the traditional noon start.
This instance brought back memories of Chief Justice Roberts’ 2009 misstep during former President Barack Obama’s first inauguration, where an error in reciting the oath led to a second, private ceremony to ensure its validity. The Trump inauguration, meanwhile, featured historical significance in its choice of Bibles.
The Bibles included the one used by former President Abraham Lincoln during his 1861 inauguration and Trump’s family Bible, which was gifted to him in 1955 by his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, when he was nine years old. These same Bibles had been part of Trump’s first swearing-in ceremony in 2017.
Vice President JD Vance also added a personal touch to the event by taking his oath on a King James Bible owned by his maternal great-grandmother, gifted to him by his “Mamaw” in 2003, marking his entry into the U.S. Marines.
The ceremony itself faced another challenge as technical difficulties disrupted singer Carrie Underwood’s performance. When the accompanying music failed to play, Underwood adapted by singing “America the Beautiful” a cappella, with the audience joining in to salvage the moment.
Related: Trump Declares a ‘Golden Age of America’ in His first Speech
The use of multiple Bibles during inaugurations is not uncommon and often carries symbolic meaning. For instance, former Presidents Harry S. Truman and Richard Nixon incorporated more than one Bible into their ceremonies, combining historical and personal significance. Dwight D. Eisenhower famously used his personal Bible alongside the one used by George Washington in 1789. Similarly, the Lincoln Bible has been a recurring feature, appearing in both of Obama’s inaugurations in 2009 and 2013.
Trump, known for blending faith with his political image, garnered attention last year by promoting the “God Bless the USA” Bible, inspired by Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem. Priced at $69.99, a special Inauguration Day edition of this Bible was released earlier this month, adding to its cultural and political resonance.
The absence of Trump’s hand on the Bibles may have been a fleeting oversight, but it highlighted the intricate choreography and deep symbolism underpinning America’s inauguration ceremonies.
Content Credit| Oyedepo Oluwafifedoyinsola Precious
Picture Credit | https://www.thenation.com/
