A major row has erupted over the Department of Education Oklahoma’s bidding for the supply of 55,000 Bibles as reports say only Trump Bibles fit the requirement. According to the bid documents, as reported by The Oklahoman, the Bibles must be the King James version; must contain the Old and New Testaments; must include copies of the Pledge of Allegiance, Declaration of Independence, U.S.Constitution and the Bill of Rights; and must be bound in leather or leather-like material.
Reports said only Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the USA Bible fits the requirement. This Bible is commonly referred to as the Trump Bible as Trump endorsed them. They cost $60 each online, with Trump receiving fees for his endorsement, the report said.
In June, Oklahoma state superintendent Ryan Walters announced all classrooms must teach the Bible in its courses. Walters released guidelines in August instructing schools to teach the Bible in its “historical, cultural, and literary context.” Several local districts said they won’t change their curriculum.
What is Trump Bible?
Trump started selling Bibles during this election cycle in the face of mounting legal bills. “Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible,” Trump wrote announcing the sale of Trump Bible for $59.99.
“This. Is. Criminal. Requiring religious material in the classroom is unconstitutional, anti-American and illegal. Period. Note the “Trump Bible” only has 10 Amendments. Also, this is literally using taxpayer dollars for a political campaign. This cannot be allowed in America,” a social media user wrote.
“The right-wing christian nationalist OK Schools Chief has devised a scheme to not only force Bible study into public schools, but also to try and purchase 55,000 overpriced Trump Bibles with public education dollars,” Ron Filipkowski wrote. “There is literally only one Bible sold in America that meets this criteria & that is Trump’s Bible. So Ryan Walters is trying to send millions in tax dollars intended for school kids into Trump’s pocket. MAGA is an organized crime syndicate where they all kick up to the boss,” Filipkowski added.