Trump Markets 'God Bless the USA' Bibles to Fund Legal Defense

New York, Mar 26 AP - In a move that intertwines commerce with his political aspirations, former President Donald Trump has embarked on a new venture: selling Bibles. As he eyes a return to the White House, Trump has become the presumptive Republican nominee earlier this month and has taken to his Truth Social platform to promote the "God Bless the USA Bible." This edition draws inspiration from Lee Greenwood's patriotic ballad, a song that is a staple at Trump's rallies and events where he has appeared alongside Greenwood.

With the approach of Good Friday and Easter, Trump encouraged his followers to purchase this Bible, priced at USD 59.99, through a dedicated website. This initiative emerges amidst Trump's financial challenges, highlighted by his struggle with four criminal indictments and a series of civil charges. A recent reprieve came when a New York appeals court paused the collection of over USD 454 million owed by Trump in a civil fraud judgment, contingent on him posting USD 175 million within ten days.

Trump's endorsement of the Bible is clear. "All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It's my favourite book," he stated on Truth Social. He further emphasized the need to "make America pray again." The Bible is marketed as the only one endorsed by Trump, featuring large print and a slim design for easy reading. It includes not only the King James Version translation but also copies of foundational U.S. documents like the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

This Bible is part of Trump's broader foray into commercial ventures while on the campaign trail. Last month saw the launch of Trump-branded sneakers at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, with prices reaching up to USD 399 for gold "Never Surrender High-Tops." Additionally, Trump has explored the realm of NFTs (nonfungible tokens), earning between USD 100,000 and USD 1 million from digital trading cards that depict him in various heroic guises.

Despite its commercial nature, the Bible's website asserts that it is apolitical and unrelated to any political campaign. The site clarifies that it operates under a paid license from CIC Ventures LLC for the use of Trump's name and image—a company reported as owned by Trump in his 2023 financial disclosure. Similar licensing arrangements exist with other Trump-branded ventures, including 45Footwear.

Trump's popularity among white evangelical Christians remains strong, despite past actions and statements that have raised eyebrows among religious communities. His unconventional reference to "Two Corinthians" at Liberty University in 2016 and reluctance to share his favourite Bible verse in a 2015 Bloomberg Politics interview have been notable moments. Moreover, his presidency saw controversial actions such as the forceful removal of racial justice protesters for a photo opportunity with a Bible.

Before his political career, Trump was known for endorsing various products, from frozen steaks to vodka, including a venture named Trump University that faced legal challenges for fraud. As this latest venture unfolds, it adds another layer to Trump's complex relationship with both commerce and politics.