NEW YORK (AP) – Former Pres Donald Trump now he’s selling bibles as he runs to get back to the White House.
Trump who became the presumptive Republican nominee earlier this month released a video on its Truth Social platform on Tuesday urging supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible,” which was inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad. Trump has performed the song at each of his rallies and has appeared with Greenwood at events.
“Happy Holy Week! Let’s make America pray again. As we approach Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to pick up a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible, Trump wrote, directing supporters to a website selling the book for $59.99.
The effort comes as Trump faces a serious cash crunch amid mounting legal bills as he battles four criminal charges along with a series of civil charges. Trump got a reprieve on Monday when New York Court of Appeals agreed to postpone the collection of more than 454 million dollars he owes after a civil fraud judgment if he deposits $175 million within 10 days. Trump already did issued a $92 million bond in relation to defamation cases filed by the writer E. Jean Carrollwho accused Trump of sexual assault.
“All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have a lot. This is my favorite book,” Trump said in the video posted on Truth Social. “I am proud to support and encourage you to get this Bible. We must make America pray again.
Billing itself as “the only Bible endorsed by President Trump!” the new venture’s website calls it “Easy to Read” with “large font” and a “slim design” that “invites you to explore God’s Word anywhere, anytime.”
In addition to a translation of the King James Version, it includes copies of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as a manuscript chorus of Greenwood’s famous song.
The Bible is just the latest commercial venture Trump has pursued on the campaign trail.
Last month he debuts a new line of Trump-branded sneakers, including the $399 gold “Never Surrender High Tops,” at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. The company behind the shoes, 45Footwear, also sells other Trump-branded shoes, cologne and perfume.
Trump also dabbled in NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, last year as well reported earning between $100,000 and $1 million from a series of digital trading cards which depicts him in cartoonish imagery, including as an astronaut, a cowboy and a superhero.
He has also published books featuring photographs from his time in office and letters written to him over the years.
The Bible’s website states that the product is “non-political and has nothing to do with a political campaign.”
“GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not owned, operated or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates,” it said.
Instead, it says, “GodBlessTheUSABible.com uses the name, likeness, and likeness of Donald J. Trump under a paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked in accordance with its terms.”
CIC Ventures LLC, a company Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure, has a similar agreement with 45Footwear, which also says it uses Trump’s “name, image and likeness under a paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which a license may be suspended or revoked according to its terms.”
A spokesman for Trump and God Bless the USA Bible did not immediately respond to questions about how much Trump was paid for the licensing deal or how much he would earn from each book sale.
Trump stays very popular among white evangelical Christianswho are among his most ardent supporters, although the thrice-married former reality star has a long history of behavior this often seemed to be at odds with the teachings adopted by Christ in the Gospels.
When he ran for office in 2016, Trump raised eyebrows when he quoted Liberty University’s “Two Corinthians” instead of the standard “2 Corinthians.”
When asked to share his favorite Bible verse in a 2015 interview with Bloomberg Politics, he demurred.
“I wouldn’t want to get into that. Because for me it’s very personal,” he said. “The Bible means a lot to me, but I don’t want to go into details.”
When he was president, law enforcement officers aggressively removed racial justice protesters from a park near the White House, allowing Trump to walk to nearby St. John’s Church, where he stood alone holding up a Bible. The scene was convicted at that time by the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.
Before running for office, Trump bought everything from frozen steaks to vodka to an enterprise called Trump University, which later tried for fraud.