President Donald Trump’s oath of office during his second inauguration on January 20, 2025, raised eyebrows when he appeared not to place his hand on a Bible—a departure from a tradition deeply associated with U.S. presidential ceremonies.
While it is customary for presidents to take the oath with their hand on a Bible, it is not a constitutional requirement. Article VI of the U.S. Constitution mandates that all officers take an oath or affirmation to uphold the Constitution but explicitly prohibits any religious test as a qualification for office.
First Lady Melania Trump was tasked with holding two Bibles during the ceremony: the Lincoln Bible, famously used during Abraham Lincoln’s 1861 inauguration, and a family Bible that Donald Trump received in 1955 to mark his Sunday Church Primary School graduation.
However, as Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts began administering the oath, Melania was still approaching with the Bibles. By the time she reached the stage, President Trump had already raised his right hand and begun reciting the oath, leaving his left hand by his side.
This deviation from tradition remains unexplained, especially as Trump had adhered to the custom during his first inauguration in 2017, using the same two Bibles.
Despite the change, the president highlighted his faith during his inaugural address, referencing an assassination attempt he survived in the summer of 2024. “I was saved by God to make America great again,” he declared, emphasizing a divine purpose in his leadership.
Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, followed tradition, placing his hand on a family Bible belonging to his great-grandmother as he took his oath. His wife, Usha Vance, held the Bible while Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh administered the oath.
President Trump’s decision to forgo the customary Bible gesture during the 2025 ceremony has sparked speculation but no official explanation. Adding to the conversation is Trump’s association with faith in other contexts, including his own line of “God Bless the USA” Bibles, sold for $59.99.
While this incident may seem symbolic, it underscores the evolving interplay of tradition, faith, and public persona in American politics.
