Staff Reports
Over a week after Donald Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, started hawking his own Bibles, Christians had some thoughts. The special edition Bible, which goes for $59.99, is a King James version and comes with extra special features like the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s even named after a classic American tune, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” a song near and dear to Trump’s rallies. The book made its debut just before the Easter holiday, causing quite a stir.
Christian leaders react to Trump's 'God Bless the USA' bibles: 'More Trump than Bible?' https://t.co/EIdKM6cgXr
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 6, 2024
The Rev. Al Sharpton had some choice words about Trump’s “Holy Week” Bible sales strategy. According to Reverend Al, selling Bibles during a week that’s all about Jesus is quite the insult, especially when the profits go straight into Trump’s pocket. Sharpton thinks that Trump’s real motivation behind the Bible sales is to foot his legal bills and get out of some sticky situations. And let’s be real here, that’s a holy far cry from the spirit of Easter.
One fella from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Daniel Darling, chimed in, too. He mused that while Trump might have had good intentions, pushing a Bible with a politician’s stamp of approval is a little too commercial and mixes politics a little too much with religion. Basically, it’s like putting a big ol’ “For Sale” sign on the sacred text.
Then there’s Friar Brian Graebe of the New York Archdiocese, who thinks more Bibles in the world is swell and all, but he’s not too thrilled about the marketing ploys and the whole American and Trump makeover the Bible seems to be getting. It’s almost like the “Make America Great Again” hat, but for the good book.
And of course, Senator Raphael Warnock had to add his two cents during an Easter interview. According to him, the Bible doesn’t need Donald Trump’s seal of approval. Plus, he brought up Jesus chasing out the money changers from the Temple, emphasizing that sacred things shouldn’t be peddled like cheap trinkets.
But enough about that, let’s talk money! The RNC and Trump raked in a modest $65.6 million, which is nothing compared to President Joe Biden’s whopping $90 million fundraising win. Biden’s campaign even managed to pull in a jaw-dropping $187 million in the first quarter, leaving Trump in the dust. And to add insult to injury, Biden’s fundraiser in New York City hauled in a cool $26 million with big shots like Obama and Clinton in attendance. Meanwhile, Trump’s hitting up hedge fund manager John Paulson’s house for a shindig that he’s hoping will bring in a hefty $43 million. Looks like the battle of the bucks is truly on!
