Donald Trump appeared to forget to place his hand on a stack of Bibles held by his wife Melania Trump as he was sworn into office on Monday.
Trump held up his right hand and repeated the oath of office as read to him by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, as is customary, but his left remained at his side.
Donald Trump takes the oath of office as his wife Melania and children look on at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
There’s no requirement under the U.S. Constitution for placing one’s hand on a Bible while taking the presidential oath of office. It’s a tradition that began with George Washington, the nation’s first president.
During his 2017 inauguration, Trump used both a family Bible and the so-called Lincoln Bible, belonging to America’s 16th president. In 2021, Biden used a family Bible that dated back to the 19th century.
In 2013, Barack Obama redid his oath of office at the White House following his inauguration because Roberts bungled the oath at the official ceremony, leading Obama to repeat the oath incorrectly as well.
Trump has often infused his public persona with Christian imagery, earning the support of many evangelicals and conservative Christians. During his inaugural address on Monday, Trump cited his attempted assassination last year as evidence of his divine purpose.
“My life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again,” Trump said at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
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