Donald Trump did not put his hand on the Bible to take the oath during his inauguration

Quote from Timothy Fitzpatrick on January 28, 2025, 11:41

By Maxime Dubernet de Boscq

January 20 at 9:35 pm, updated on January 20 at 9:44 pm

The new president did not put his left hand on the pile of two Bibles held by First Lady Melania Trump on Monday.

The scene was able to surprise this Monday. Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday under the dome of the Capitol in Washington, becoming the 47th president of the United States at the age of 78. But during the thirty-second scene, the American head of state did not put his hand on the pile of two Bibles held by the first lady, Melania Trump.

Donald Trump, standing up raised his right hand to take an oath to the President of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, but did not raise his left arm. According to ABC News, Melania Trump held her husband's personal Bible, while the second sacred book had been used by Abraham Lincoln to take the oath in 1861. Barack Obama had also used the latter in 2009 and 2013, for his two terms.

It's an unusual scene. On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump placed his left hand on two bibles held by the first lady, at the beginning of his first term. His vice-president, J.D. Vance, placed his left hand on the two sacred books, held by his wife, Usha Vance. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh took the Republican's oath.

 

No obligation

The Republican, already president from 2017 to 2021, nevertheless multiplied religious references during his victorious election campaign. In particular, he encouraged his supporters to buy books from the "Bible God Bless the USA", available for $59.99. "Happy Holy Week! Let us make America pray again. As Good Friday and Easter approach, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible," said Donald Trump. On Monday, he also said in his inaugural speech that God had "saved" him from an assassination attempt on July 13 in Pennsylvania "so that I would make America great".

Even if the images may have offended across the Atlantic for the Americans most attached to traditions, there is no legal obligation for the president to put his hand on the Bible. Article VI, clause 3, of the United States Constitution states that all members of Congress, state legislators and executive and judicial officials, must support the Constitution "by oath or affirmation". On the other hand, no obligation to get your hands on the Bible. "No religious test will ever be required to obtain a public office or mandate in the United States," the article says.

Source: https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/donald-trump-n-a-pas-pose-la-main-sur-la-bible-pour-preter-serment-lors-de-son-investiture-20250120