In one of the most talked-about moments in 2024's religious and political spheres, President Donald J. Trump made headlines after earning $1.3 million from endorsing the "God Bless the USA Bible." Financial disclosure documents released by the White House show the surprising profit came in a year where faith, finance, and politics collided in unprecedented ways.
But is this merely another revenue stream for the billionaire former president, or a calculated move to reignite his connection with Christian America?
This post explores the facts behind the Bible’s sale,
Trump’s statements, public and church responses, and the implications for faith-driven
Americans in an election-heavy, spiritually intense 2025.
1. Trump’s $1.3 Million Bible Move:
The Backstory
The “God Bless the USA Bible” Package
Officially endorsed by Trump around Easter 2024, the God Bless
the USA Bible isn't just a copy of the King James Version. It's a hybrid
patriotic-religious product featuring:
- The KJV Bible
- The U.S. Constitution
- The Declaration of
Independence
- The Bill of Rights
- The Pledge of Allegiance
- And the handwritten lyrics of Lee
Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”
Sold online for $59.99, special editions such as the Inauguration
Day Edition, Presidential Edition, and Golden Age Edition
were priced at $99.99 and quickly sold out.
It was, according to financial disclosures, a $1.3 million success—and
a marketing masterstroke.
2. The Timing: Easter, Fraud Case, and
Evangelical Optics
Trump’s Bible promotion came shortly after a New York civil fraud ruling
that threatened to seize his assets unless he paid a $175 million bond
during his appeal.
His marketing message was loud and spiritual:
“We must protect content that is pro-God… We love God. And we have to
protect anything that is pro-God… We must defend God in the public square.”
To his Christian base, these words resonated. To critics, the campaign
looked more like damage control wrapped in religious fervor.
3. Where Are These Bibles Made?
One of the most surprising details is that the Bibles are printed in
Hangzhou, China—a country where Christians face persecution and religious
censorship. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, religious
books are exempt from import tariffs, which allowed the publisher to ship the
Bibles cheaply into the United States.
Production cost per Bible? Just $3.
Selling price? $59.99 to $99.99.
Critics argue this massive markup commercializes Scripture for political
gain, while others say it’s no different from Christian bookstores pricing
Bibles with leather binding and special content.
4. Who’s Really Making the Money?
Though Trump hasn’t disclosed his exact cut per sale, royalties go
through CIC Ventures, a licensing company where Trump is listed as manager,
president, secretary, and treasurer.
CIC Ventures also manages licensing for other Trump-endorsed products
including:
- Sneakers
- Watches
- Guitars
It’s a classic Trump move: merge faith, patriotism, and branding into a
revenue-generating powerhouse. But should Scripture be part of that
portfolio?
5. Reaction from Church Leaders and
Evangelicals
Tim Wildsmith, Baptist Minister &
Bible Reviewer
“I would expect this Bible to be maybe $15 to $20 tops. It disappoints me
that people are making money off of this. This feels more like a money grab
than anything else.”
Eric Metaxas, Author of The Faith
of Donald J. Trump
“[Trump] has evinced a startling lack of familiarity with the Bible.”
Metaxas later softened his tone, calling Trump’s faith “a spiritual
voyage,” but the skepticism among some evangelicals remains.
6. Trump’s Troubled History with Bible
Verses
In 2015, Trump refused to name a favorite Bible verse, calling it “too
personal.”
Later, he quoted a supposed Scripture verse:
“Never bend to envy.”
This phrase appears in no known Bible translation. Evangelical
journalist David Brody traced it to a likely misquote of Proverbs
24:1 – “Do not envy the wicked.”
Brody admired Trump’s honesty, saying he didn’t fake familiarity with
Scripture like other politicians might. Still, many believers found the attempt
troubling.
7. Other Political Bible Endorsements
in History
Trump isn’t the first president to be associated with the Bible—but he is
the first to profit from it.
- Woodrow Wilson and FDR endorsed Bibles
given to WWI and WWII soldiers—never for sale.
- Their motives were patriotic
and pastoral, not commercial.
In contrast, Trump's Bible is a retail product marketed with
limited editions and sold at premium prices.
8. Marketing Masterclass or
Manipulation?
Here’s why Trump’s Bible project worked:
|
Element |
Description |
|
Brand Association |
Tied to a polarizing, influential
political figure |
|
Emotional Triggers |
Combines Christianity, patriotism,
and politics |
|
Scarcity and Exclusivity |
Limited editions sell fast |
|
Timing |
Released during Easter and legal
battles |
|
Patriotic Extras |
Adds U.S. documents to appeal to
conservatives |
This is textbook high-conversion marketing—but is it ethical
when Scripture is involved?
9. Should Christians Buy the God Bless
the USA Bible?
Pros:
- May feel like a symbol of
faith and patriotism
- Could be used as a collector’s
item
- Appeals to those who see Trump as
a religious figurehead
Cons:
- Questionable production ethics
(printed in China)
- High markup with low-cost
production
- Lack of spiritual integrity
(critics say it's superficial)
- Funds go into a political
licensing machine
If you’re looking for a Bible to grow spiritually, better study editions
(with in-depth commentary) are available for less than $30. If you're
supporting a cause, Christian missions distributing free Bibles might be a more
purposeful investment.
10. What This Means for Christian
Voters in 2025
The 2024 Bible sales show Trump is still deeply connected to the evangelical
Christian voting bloc, but in a way that monetizes the relationship.
For Christian voters:
- Is this a faith endorsement or a
campaign strategy?
- Will faith-based voters be pandered
to or empowered?
- Can churches continue to support
political figures who use religion as a product line?
The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. But in an election season, it’s a
question worth asking.
Faith, Finance, and the Future
Trump’s $1.3 million Bible earnings are not just about business — they
represent the intersection of faith, capitalism, and political branding.
As Christian readers, this event challenges us to consider:
- What does Scripture mean
when it's sold with a flag and a celebrity name?
- How do we guard against the commercialization
of the Gospel?
- Can we discern authentic
spiritual leadership from political strategy?
In 2025, it’s not enough to be moved by branding or declarations of
“loving God.” True Christianity must be marked by fruit, truth, and a clear
Gospel message.
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