NAIROBI, Kenya- In a departure from tradition, President Donald Trump took the oath of office on Monday without placing his hand on a Bible, a customary gesture dating back to George Washington.
As First Lady Melania Trump stood beside him holding two Bibles—one gifted by his mother and the historic Lincoln Bible—Trump raised his right hand to affirm his commitment to the presidency, leaving the holy books untouched.
This unconventional move didn’t break any rules. The U.S. Constitution allows officeholders to take an oath or affirmation without a religious test. In other words, no Bible, no problem.
BREAKING: Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.
Trump’s decision marks a sharp contrast to his first inauguration in 2017, when he placed his hand on two Bibles held by Melania.
However, he isn’t the first president to skip the religious text. Historical records show John Quincy Adams took his oath on a law book in 1825, and Theodore Roosevelt didn’t use a Bible during his swearing-in following President McKinley’s assassination.
Calvin Coolidge, in his autobiography, claimed he didn’t officially use his mother’s Bible when sworn in by kerosene lamp light.
Even Lyndon B. Johnson opted for a Catholic missal aboard Air Force One after President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.
These examples underline a long-standing reality: the use of a Bible, while traditional, is not mandatory.
Faith has always played a significant role in Trump’s presidency. During his 2024 campaign, Trump endorsed the God Bless the USA Bible, urging Americans to “Make America Pray Again” during Holy Week.
His social media post promoted the $59.99 patriotic-themed Bible, blending religion with his political messaging.
In his inauguration speech, Trump attributed his survival during an attempted assassination in Pennsylvania to divine intervention.
“Just a few months ago, in that beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear,” he said. “I believe I was saved by God to make America great again.”
Skipping the Bible may raise eyebrows, but Trump’s choice is a reminder of the evolving nature of inaugural traditions.
Whether grounded in personal preference or practicality, it reflects a presidency that thrives on breaking norms while still embracing a public display of faith.
As America navigates its next chapter under Trump’s leadership, the symbolism of that untapped Bible remains a compelling footnote in history—a detail both fascinating and in true Trump fashion.
