Make America Pray Again: 5 things you need to know about $60 'God Bless USA' Bible sold by Trump
Unveiling the 'God Bless the USA Bible': Donald Trump and Lee Greenwood partner in $60 offering
Donald Trump has launched a new business venture, this time with a spiritual twist. Partnering with country music icon Lee Greenwood, famed for his anthem "God Bless the USA," the former president announced the release of a custom Bible dubbed the "God Bless the USA Bible." Priced at $59.99, this unique edition initially introduced by Greenwood in 2021 encountered publishing setbacks but is now making its debut. Here's what we know about this unconventional collaboration.
1. Trump enters the Bible business
Trump endorsed the project in a social media video, proclaiming, "All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It's my favorite book. It's a lot of peoples' favorite book." He added, "We have to bring Christianity back into our lives and into what will be again a great nation," Trump said. "Our Founding Fathers did a tremendous thing when they built America on Judeo-Christian values. Now that foundation is under attack, perhaps as never before." This declaration arrives amidst Trump's legal entanglements, including hefty financial obligations stemming from ongoing legal battles. Despite Trump's financial challenges, a disclaimer on the Bible's website claims it "has nothing to do with any political campaign" and is "not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates."
2. The 'God Bless the USA Bible'
The "God Bless the USA Bible," as revealed on the official God Bless The USA Bible website, emerges as a distinctive rendition of the Christian bible, drawing inspiration from Lee Greenwood's iconic patriotic anthem, "God Bless the USA." Positioned as the "only Bible endorsed by President Trump" and Greenwood himself, it intertwines copies of American political documents and Greenwood's song lyrics within the sacred text. A "spotlight" section on its website showcases conservative figures proudly displaying their copies of the bible, including Tomi Lahren, Donald Trump Jr, Rita Cosby, Travis Tritt, and Gov Mike Huckabee. However, eager customers should prepare for a wait, as the website warns of "high order volume," resulting in a delivery timeframe of four to six weeks. It is not clear yet how much Trump was paid for the licensing deal or stands to make from each book sale.
3. Contents of the 'God Bless the USA Bible'
The "God Bless the USA Bible," a unique rendition of the King James Version of the Bible, is interspersed with quintessential American documents such as the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and even the Pledge of Allegiance. It also includes handwritten lyrics to Lee Greenwood's chorus from "God Bless The USA." This special edition, as described on its website, features a large print and a two-column format, ensuring better readability.
4. Who is Lee Greenwood?
Melvin Lee Greenwood, an iconic figure in American country music, boasts a prolific career marked by over 20 major-label albums. However, his enduring legacy is etched in the fabric of patriotism through his timeless anthem, "God Bless the USA," which has made waves since its release in 1984. Beyond his musical prowess, Greenwood is known for his staunch conservatism and unwavering Christian faith. His song has become a fixture at Republican political gatherings, where it has reverberated in support of figures like Ronald Reagan, George W Bush, and Donald Trump. Acknowledging Greenwood's cultural significance, President Bush nominated him to serve on the National Council of Arts, a position he held from 2008 to 2022. In 2018, Greenwood's contributions to music were further honored as he received the MMP Music Award and was enshrined into the MMP Hall of Fame by Commander Joseph W Clark.
5. Controversies surrounding the 'God Bless the USA Bible'
Constitutional and legal scholars, alongside voices in the Christian community, largely oppose merging religion and legal doctrine. When the concept was announced, it faced notable backlash. In 2021, HarperCollins Christian Publishing declined to proceed with the production of the proposed Bible despite an initial agreement, prompting Greenwood and Hugh Kirkpatrick, the key figures behind Elite Source Pro - the company originally spearheading the project - to seek alternative publishing avenues. HarperCollins Christian Publishing, encompassing renowned publishing groups Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, serves as the licensor for the North American distribution of the New International Version translation of the Bible. However, this translation was not utilized in the "God Bless the USA" version. Instead, the project opted for the King James Version translation. The current publisher and licensor of the new version remain unclear, as Elite Source Pro is no longer involved in the project, per USA Today.
