God Bless the U.S.A. Bible

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Cover of the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible with an American flag motif

The God Bless the U.S.A. Bible, also known as the Trump Bible, is an edition of the King James Version of the Christian Bible, also containing additional content specifically relating to the United States, first published in 2021. The book was created by country music singer-songrwriter Lee Greenwood and marketed by Donald Trump under his brand name, who promoted the book as part of his 2024 presidential campaign.

History[edit]

In May 2021, to commemorate the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, Greenwood published a "God Bless the U.S.A." edition of the Bible. It has the U.S. flag on its leather cover and includes the texts of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the chorus of Greenwood's song "God Bless the USA" in Greenwood's handwriting.[1][2] The text of the Bible was intended to be the New International Version,[3] but Zondervan, the division of HarperCollins that owns the rights to the New International Version, withheld them rather than associate Christianity with U.S. nationalism, and it used the King James Version, which is in the public domain in the United States.[4] It created further controversy in 2024 when former president Donald Trump promoted a new edition of it.[5]

In March 2024, Trump began promoting the book at a price point of $60. The website selling the Bible bills it as "the only Bible endorsed by" Trump and that his "name, likeness and image" are being used under paid license from one of Trump's organizations, CIC Ventures LLC.[6][7]

Criticism[edit]

The creation and sale of this version of the Bible has drawn criticism from various quarters due to its incorporation of documents specific to a single country, and assertions that it gives the appearance of an effort to profiteer off of a text of religious significance.[2] Charlotte, North Carolina, evangelical pastor Loran Livingston drew national attention when he gave a sermon denouncing the Trump Bible as "blasphemous" and "disgusting" for tying the Bible to American politics.[8][9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "God Bless the USA Bible". God Bless the USA Bible. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Willingham, A. J. (March 28, 2024). "Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible". CNN.
  3. ^ Holly Meyer. "Lee Greenwood's hit song inspires new 'God Bless the USA Bible' including America's founding documents". Nashville Tennessean.
  4. ^ Olmstead, Molly (September 15, 2021). "The Uproar over the "Ultimate American Bible"". Slate. The Slate Group. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  5. ^ Treisman, Rachel (March 27, 2024). "Cash-strapped Trump is now selling $60 Bibles, U.S. Constitution included". NPR. National Public Radio. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Gold, Michael; Haberman, Maggie (March 26, 2024). "Trump's Newest Venture? A $60 Bible". The New York Times. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Colvin, Jill (March 26, 2024). "Trump is selling 'God Bless the USA' Bibles for $59.99 as he faces mounting legal bills". Associated Press. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Marusak, Joe (April 27, 2024). "Charlotte evangelical pastor in national spotlight, called Trump Bible 'disgusting'". The Charlotte Observer.
  9. ^ Foley, Ryan (April 26, 2024). "North Carolina pastor calls Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible 'blasphemous' in viral sermon". The Christian Post.
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