Former President Donald Trump seems to have no shortage of money-generating ideas. He has already turned his image into money-making NFTs, sneakers, and a social media platform called Truth Social in the past.
Now, Trump is turning his iconic phrase into a religious sales opportunity. He is utilizing a tweaked catchphrase of “Make America Pray Again” to encourage Americans to purchase Bibles, just in time for Easter.
Truth Social Post
On Tuesday, Trump made a post on Truth Social advertising the sales of this “God Bless The USA Bible.”
“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,” the post read.
Make America Pray Again
The post, which got over 23,000 likes in just short of a day, was responded to positively by Trump fans on Truth Social.
One user named Stay Gold wrote in a top comment, “In the end, we do NOT answer to bureaucrats in Washington, we answer to GOD in HEAVEN! MAKE AMERICA PRAY AGAIN!”
Trump’s Bibles
The Bibles Trump is promoting are called “God Bless the USA” Bibles. They take the inspiration for this name from the Lee Greenwood song of the same name.
On the website, the price for these Bibles is listed at $59.99 and also includes a handwritten copy of the chorus to the Greenwood song its name is inspired by.
Why the High Price?
In addition to the titular God Bless the USA Bible, the $60 dollar price tag also includes copies of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
It’s clear that people buying this product are doing it for the Trump brand and the extra features, as opposed to the price. Similar Bibles can be purchased for $20 or less in other places online.
Features
The advertisement for the Bible extolls features like it being “Easy-to-read, large print, and slim design.” The “large print” in particular is highlighted for delivering “an easy reading experience” that “will be perfect to take to church, a bible study, work, travel, etc.”
The text of the Bible itself is the King James Version, a popular choice among Americans and the most famous translation of the text in history.
Trump’s Financial Woes
This latest money-making venture comes on the heels of continuing court judgments and fees that are battering the former President.
Recently a New York Appeals Court had handed him a $454 million judgment from a civil fraud trial. Trump also has had to post a $92 million bond from a defamation case by a sexual assault accuser named E. Jean Carroll.
Easter Sunday
This sales pitch from Trump comes just ahead of one of the most important holidays in the Christian religion, Easter. Easter this year falls on Sunday, March 31st. Bibles are extremely important for Christians and many Americans.
It is estimated that Americans spend over $25 million a year on Bibles and nine out of ten Americans own a minimum of one copy. The average American household has more than four copies.
Lee Greenwood Connection
This $60 bible product comes from a collaboration with Trump and country musician Lee Greenwood. Greenwood’s music is often played at Trump’s campaign rallies during the opening segment.
The song “God Bless the U.S.A.” was first released in 1984 and quickly rose to the top 10 country singles in the United States. It was also played at the Republican National Convention of that year, where Ronald Reagan became the nominee for president.
Not Political
The website where the Bible is sold emphasizes that it is not affiliated with the Trump campaign.
“GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign. 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,” the website says.
Outrage Over the Bible
There were many online who saw this latest Trump business venture cynically. A Biden spokesperson named Sarafina Chitika responded to the news in a statement.
“The last time the American people saw Donald Trump hold up a Bible it was for a photo op after he tear-gassed American citizens demonstrating against white supremacy,” Chitika said.
Mocked Online
In response to the Trump Bible announcement, social media users took to photoshopping memes over the infamous Trump Bible photo op at St. John’s Church that took place in June 2020.
During that time, a protest in Washington D.C. had broken out. As Trump held the bible up high, police officers were forcefully clearing protestors a short distance away at the same time. Some considered the crackdown on protestors an excessive use of force that was ironic when juxtaposed to holding Trump calling for peace while holding a Bible.
