Trump and GOP Leaders Participate in Weeklong 'America Reads the Bible' Event

President Trump and many top Republicans are reading parts of the Bible between April 18-25 as part of an America 250 celebration.

The Details: Trump's first reading aired on Tuesday at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. It featured Trump reading 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 in the Old Testament from the Oval Office. The readings are part of a weeklong America Reads the Bible event to encourage a "return to the spiritual foundation that has shaped our country." It's being led by the Christians Engaged nonprofit and includes nearly 500 participants including ministries, Republican politicians and Christian supporters of Trump. 

The Passage: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 says: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Reigniting Faith: CBN (Right bias) and Fox News (Right) both highlighted the event's goal to encourage religious participation and emphasized Christian support. CBN called it a "weeklong sacred ceremony." The Washington Times (Lean Right) referred to the passage Trump read as "a rallying cry for Christians around the world for decades." It mentioned Democrats were invited to participate, "but they all declined." Newsmax (Right) noted Christians Engaged's mission to encourage Americans to engage with a biblical worldview and civic responsibilities.

Rift With the Pope: Many outlets contextualized the reading within ongoing tension between Trump and the Pope. CNN (Lean Left) and the National Desk (Right) both framed the reading within Trump's attacks toward the Pope and Trump's image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. CNN said the move comes amid "a complicated moment" for Trump's relationship with American Christians, writing the rift has underscored a shift among some Americans toward embracing a "MAGA Jesus" and viewing Trump as the "chosen one."

Polarizing Event: Associated Press (Left) emphasized criticism of the event, citing critics calling it "part of a larger project to connect America's 250th birthday with a Christian nationalist vision." It quoted a Christian author saying the event should've had "more attention to getting political diversity and ideological diversity" if its goal was to be "a unifying American project." Newsmax also mentioned concerns over the political and ideological balance. The Guardian (Left) said the reading comes after "a slew of recent moves that have drawn scrutiny and sowed division among his devout supporters." Newsweek (Center) questioned whether the event impacts the separation between church and state.

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