President Donald Trump participated in a weeklong Bible-reading marathon titled “America Reads the Bible,” an event described as a “sacred opportunity to call our nation back to its spiritual foundation.” In a pre-recorded video message filmed in the Oval Office with the presidential flag behind him, Trump read a passage from the Classic Testament.
Scripture and Spiritual Goals
The president read 2 Chronicles 7:11-22, which includes a call for people to humble themselves and pray so that God may forgive their sin and heal the land. The event was livestreamed from Washington DC by Great American Media, a Texas-based company specializing in faith and family content.
The marathon was organized by Christians Engaged, a ministry of the Family Policy Alliance Foundation. This conservative lobbying group has previously advocated for restricting transgender medical care and defunding abortion providers.
Bunni Pounds, founder of Christians Engaged, stated that the reading aims to show how the Bible can provide wisdom and discernment to heal families, inner cities, and the nation. Other administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to participate.
Conflicts with Religious Leadership
The president’s participation follows a public clash with Pope Leo XIV. The tension began in early April after Trump threatened to wipe out Iranian civilization while pressuring the country to reopen the strait of Hormuz.
Pope Leo XIV described those remarks as “truly unacceptable.” Trump responded via a Truth Social post on April 12, calling the first American-born pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” while suggesting the pope was elected to curry favor with him.
This exchange has highlighted Trump’s childhood attendance at a Manhattan church where the pastor opposed John F. Kennedy’s presidency due to Kennedy’s Catholic faith. The fallout could place the Republican party in a difficult position as lawmakers seek support ahead of the 2026 midterms.
AI Controversy and State-Church Relations
Trump also faced criticism from some Christian allies after posting an AI-generated image that appeared to show him as Jesus tending to a sick man. While some conservative supporters labeled the meme as blasphemous, Trump told reporters he believed the image portrayed him as a doctor.
Despite these controversies and a hush-payment scandal involving a former porn actor, evangelical Christians remain a core part of Trump’s voting bloc. During his 2024 campaign, he pledged to “bring back Christianity.”
The administration has continued to blur the lines between church and state. Last year, Trump created a Religious Liberty Commission to consider the first amendment rights of pastors and voluntary prayer in public schools. Dan Patrick, the Texas lieutenant governor who chairs the commission, has described Democrats as the “anti-God left.”
Future Implications
The ongoing efforts of the Religious Liberty Commission may lead to further debates over prayer in public schools. The tension between the president and the papacy could potentially influence Catholic voter turnout in the upcoming midterms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Bible passage did Donald Trump read?
President Trump read 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 in a video message recorded in the Oval Office.
Why did Pope Leo XIV criticize President Trump?
The Pope admonished Trump’s remarks as “truly unacceptable” after the president threatened to wipe out Iranian civilization to pressure the country into reopening the strait of Hormuz.
What was the controversy regarding the AI-generated image?
Trump posted an AI image that appeared to depict him as Jesus tending to an ill man, which some conservative supporters called blasphemous; Trump later stated he thought the image showed him as a doctor.
How do you view the intersection of religious events and official government communications?
