Now Reading
It Turns Out, a Lot of Presidents Besides Trump Have Signed Bibles

It Turns Out, a Lot of Presidents Besides Trump Have Signed Bibles

Recently, President Trump visited Alabama, where communities are recovering from a series of tornadoes that left 23 people dead and numerous homes destroyed. But Trump’s visit drew headlines when he signed Bibles belonging to residents at a local church.

The move drew criticism online, but, as Slate notes, presidents signing Bibles isn’t as weird as you might think. The Washington Post even talked with the Smithsonian’s curator of religion Peter Manseau, who explained that President George W. Bush, FDR and President Ronald Reagan all signed Bibles during their administrations. President Barack Obama—along with Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts—reportedly signed a Bible that was once owned by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. following a request made by Dr. King’s family.

Manseau explained to The Post, “If this was an organized effort where the president was giving out stacks of signed Bibles, that would strike me as odd, to say the least, but from what I can tell the event today wasn’t outside the norm. Presidents seem to sign a lot of random things put in front of them.”

View Comments (6)

Leave a Reply

© 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Scroll To Top

You’re reading our ad-supported experience

For our premium ad-free experience, including exclusive podcasts, issues and more, subscribe to

Plans start as low as $2.50/mo