Faith and politics are old bedfellows in D.C., but things got exceptionally literal on September 8, 2025. Donald Trump didn't just give a speech at the Museum of the Bible; he showed up with a piece of his own history in hand.
It was the "Trump Family Bible."
You've probably seen it before. This is the same Revised Standard Version his mother, Mary Anne, gave him back in the day. He used it for both of his inaugurations. Honestly, for a guy who knows how to make an entrance, handing over his personal childhood Bible to a museum just blocks from the National Mall was a quintessential "Trump move." It wasn't just a donation. It was a statement.
The Big Handover: More Than Just a Gift
The event was actually the second meeting of the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty. Trump created this commission early in 2025, basically right after taking office for his second term. He stood there, flanked by people like Paula White, Ben Carson, and Franklin Graham, and told the crowd that the Bible is the "heart" of the American story.
"I remember the time she gave it to me," Trump said, getting a bit nostalgic about his mother. He told the audience he had personally delivered it just moments before taking the stage.
The museum itself is a massive, 430,000-square-foot building. It’s owned largely by the Green family—the folks behind Hobby Lobby. Trump actually gave them a shout-out, calling them "rich as hell" and saying their success "always helps." It’s that kind of bluntness people expect from him, even in a room full of theologians and pastors.
✨ Don't miss: Who Has Trump Pardoned So Far: What Really Happened with the 47th President's List
Why this specific Bible matters
- It’s personal: This isn't a $99 "God Bless the USA" Bible from his website. This is the one his Sunday school teachers in Queens inscribed back in 1955.
- Presidential history: It now sits alongside Bibles owned by Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and both George Bushes.
- Symbolism: By placing it here, he’s effectively cementing his legacy in the physical landscape of religious Washington.
The "America Prays" Initiative
During this same visit, the administration rolled out something called the "America Prays" initiative. Scott Turner, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, stood up and called for a massive wave of prayer leading into 2026.
Why 2026?
Because that’s the "Super Centennial"—the 250th anniversary of the United States. Trump’s vision, as he explained it at the museum, is to have faith groups leading the charge for the national birthday. He’s pushing for a "Golden Age of America," and in his view, that only happens if the country "brings back religion" stronger than ever.
He didn't just talk about prayer, though. He used the museum stage to announce that the Department of Education would be dropping new guidance to protect prayer in public schools. For his base, this was the red meat of the day. He brought up stories of kids like Hannah Allen and Shea Encinas—students who faced pushback for their faith in school—to drive the point home.
A Tale of Two Museums
What’s really interesting is the contrast Trump drew during his speech. While he was praising the Museum of the Bible for its "positivity," he was simultaneously taking swings at the Smithsonian.
🔗 Read more: Why the 2013 Moore Oklahoma Tornado Changed Everything We Knew About Survival
He’s had a "little problem" with the Smithsonian lately.
Basically, he’s accused the national museums of being too "woke" and focusing too much on the dark parts of American history, like slavery. He actually issued an executive order in March 2025 to "remove improper ideology" from Smithsonian exhibits. So, his appearance at the Museum of the Bible wasn't just about faith; it was a pivot toward a version of American history that he finds more "exceptional."
Navigating the Critics
Not everyone was cheering, of course.
Secular groups and some minority religious organizations have raised eyebrows at the rhetoric used during the museum visit. When Trump says things like "To have a great nation, you need to have religion," it sparks a lot of debate about the separation of church and state. Critics worry that this "One Nation Under God" focus leans too heavily into Christian Nationalism, potentially sidelining Americans who don't share those specific views.
Then there's the museum's own baggage. The Museum of the Bible has had a rocky road since it opened in 2017, from returning thousands of looted artifacts to Iraq and Egypt to the whole "Dead Sea Scrolls" forgery scandal. Trump’s donation adds a new, highly political layer to a collection that has been trying to establish academic credibility for years.
💡 You might also like: Ethics in the News: What Most People Get Wrong
How to See the Trump Bible
If you're planning a trip to D.C. to see the exhibit yourself, here is the lowdown.
The Bible is located in the "Bible in the World" exhibit on the second floor. It's usually displayed open, showing the inscriptions or the pages used during the inaugurations.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets aren't cheap—usually around $25 to $30—but they do offer discounts for seniors and kids. It’s located at 400 4th St SW, which is just a short walk from the Federal Center SW metro station.
If you want to understand the current intersection of American power and faith, this is arguably the most significant artifact in the building right now. Whether you see it as a devout gesture or a brilliant piece of political branding, there’s no denying its impact on the D.C. tourist circuit.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Museum Schedule: Exhibits change frequently. If you are going specifically for the presidential Bibles, verify on the museum's official website that the "Bible in the World" gallery isn't under renovation.
- Look for the Inscriptions: When you find the Trump Bible, look for the signatures of his 1955 Sunday school teachers; it provides a rare glimpse into his early life in New York.
- Read the New Guidance: If you're a parent or educator, look up the Department of Education’s September 2025 guidance on "Religious Expression in Public Schools" to see how the policy announced at the museum actually affects local districts.