A statement released by the White House said, “From Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World and the first permanent English-speaking settlement at Jamestown to our founding in 1776 and to the present day, the Bible has been indelibly woven into our national identity and way of life.”
“Today, during our 250th year of American independence,” the statement went on to add, “the America Reads the Bible initiative invites all citizens to once again acknowledge our Nation’s extraordinary Biblical foundations and to give thanks for the countless ways in which God has been the sacred source of our unity and national strength.”
“I applaud every citizen participating in the America Reads the Bible initiative,” the statement concluded. “Together, we will honor Holy Scripture, renew our faith, usher in a historic resurgence of religion on American shores, and rededicate the United States as one Nation under God.”
Earlier this month, the president sparked outrage among Christians for a social media post featuring an AI-generated image of himself depicted as Jesus performing a miracle healing.
While numerous Christian leaders spoke out against Trump’s “blasphemy,” including Southern Baptist leader Dr. Albert Mohler, Pastor Ed Young, and activist Riley Gaines, others, like evangelist Franklin Graham, came to the president’s defense.
Trump denied that the image depicted him as Christ. He argued that he thought the image portrayed him as a doctor with the Red Cross. The post has since been removed.
“America Reads the Bible” will continue throughout the week and will conclude on Saturday (April 25).
