Donald Trump's "God Bless the USA" Bible, which he claims will help revive America's religious values, has raised controversy for being printed in China, despite the former president's frequent criticism of the country. Records show that 120,000 copies were shipped to the U.S. earlier this year. The Bibles are sold for $59.99, with some editions priced at $1,000, potentially generating millions in revenue. Critics argue that the merging of scripture with nationalist messages is problematic, and concerns about the Bible’s low quality have also been raised.
Trump's decision to print the Bibles in China contrasts sharply with his public stance on reducing reliance on Chinese manufacturing and protecting American jobs. While China is a leading producer of Bibles globally, the association with Trump’s anti-China rhetoric highlights a contradiction between his business dealings and political messaging.
The Bibles are marketed as part of a patriotic project, and Trump has partnered with country singer Lee Greenwood to promote them. However, some religious leaders and scholars have criticized the Bibles, calling the mix of religious texts and political symbols heretical and potentially fueling Christian nationalism in the U.S.
The King James Version used in the Trump Bible is in the public domain, but earlier plans to use the popular New International Version (NIV) were scrapped after backlash from religious scholars. Some have expressed concern about the Bible’s attempt to intertwine U.S. patriotism with Christianity, calling it a "toxic mix" that could stoke nationalist sentiments among evangelical churches.
Critics also point to the poor quality of the product, with complaints about cheap materials, unreadable text, and missing production information. Some view the venture as more about financial gain than a sincere religious or patriotic effort, raising further ethical concerns about the use of religious texts for profit.