Trump’s Bible Dilemma: ‘God Bless the USA’ Printed in China Amidst Anti-China Stance
In an ironic twist, thousands of Donald Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bibles, sold for $59.99 apiece, were printed in China—a country that the former president has frequently accused of engaging in unfair trade practices and costing American jobs. This revelation highlights a stark contrast between Trump’s public political stance and his business dealings, as the Bibles were produced in the very nation he has long criticized for undermining U.S. industries.
According to global trade records reviewed by The Associated Press (AP), a printing company in China’s eastern city of Hangzhou shipped nearly 120,000 of these Bibles to the U.S. between February and March 2024. The estimated value of the three separate shipments was around $342,000, amounting to a production cost of less than $3 per Bible. However, with a retail price set at $59.99, the potential revenue from these sales could exceed $7 million, a significant markup on the actual production cost.
This connection to China had not been previously reported, and it further complicates Trump’s image as a staunch critic of China’s economic practices. During his presidency and subsequent campaigns, Trump positioned himself as a champion of American jobs, repeatedly accusing China of stealing U.S. intellectual property and trade secrets. His administration imposed high tariffs on Chinese goods in a bid to reduce the country’s trade deficit and bring manufacturing back to the U.S.
Yet, despite his public opposition to China, Trump’s commercial interests reveal a different story. The “God Bless the USA” Bible was a collaboration between Trump and country singer Lee Greenwood, whose patriotic ballad “God Bless the USA” has become an anthem at Trump rallies. Trump has licensed his name for the Bible and, according to financial disclosure forms, has earned approximately $300,000 in royalties from the deal so far.
A Clash Between Campaign Rhetoric and Personal Profits
Trump’s business ventures have long raised questions about conflicts of interest, and his connection to the Chinese-made Bible is no exception. While campaigning for reelection in the 2024 presidential election, Trump continues to promote tariffs and other measures aimed at reducing the U.S. reliance on foreign imports, particularly from China. One of his key campaign proposals is a 10% tariff on all imports, with some suggesting even higher tariffs on Chinese goods—potentially as high as 60%.
If these tariffs were applied to the “God Bless the USA” Bible, its price would rise significantly. A 60% tariff on the China-printed books would increase the $59.99 retail price to nearly $96, potentially putting it out of reach for many of the former president’s supporters.
However, Trump has made no mention of where the Bibles are produced, nor has he disclosed how much he earns per sale. A version of the Bible, hand-signed by Trump, is priced at $1,000, but the profit margins on the standard edition remain unclear. The Trump campaign has declined to comment on the production of the Bible, leaving questions about how much of the sale price benefits Trump directly.
Despite Trump’s calls to reduce reliance on Chinese imports, China remains one of the world’s leading producers of Bibles. In fact, most Bibles sold in the U.S. are printed in China due to the lower production costs and the expertise of Chinese printers in producing religious texts. The “God Bless the USA” Bible is no exception. The shipments of these Bibles, labeled under the “God Bless USA” brand, were sent to Freedom Park Design, a company based in Alabama that imported the books.
Blending Religion and Patriotism in the “God Bless the USA” Bible
The launch of the “God Bless the USA” Bible is part of Trump’s broader strategy to merge religious themes with his campaign messaging. In a video posted on his Truth Social platform in late March, just days before the largest shipment of 70,000 Bibles arrived at the Port of Los Angeles, Trump unveiled the Bible to his followers. Blending religion with patriotism, he urged his supporters to purchase the Bible, which includes not only religious scriptures but also key U.S. founding documents such as the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
“This Bible is a reminder that the biggest thing we have to bring back in America, and to make America great again, is our religion,” Trump declared in the video. He went on to claim that Judeo-Christian values in America are “under attack, perhaps as never before.”
The timing of the launch—just months before the November presidential election—raises questions about whether the Bible is intended to serve more as a campaign tool than a religious one. Trump has used religious rhetoric throughout his political career, appealing to evangelical Christians and other conservative religious groups who have formed a key part of his base.
However, some critics have raised concerns about the mixing of religion and politics in Trump’s latest business venture. Claire Finkelstein, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, said the Bible sales raise ethical questions, particularly when it comes to Trump’s financial gains.
“You have to assume that everything that the individual does is being done as a candidate, and so that any money that flows through to him benefits him as a candidate,” Finkelstein said. She pointed out that selling Bibles at prices that far exceed their production value could potentially be considered a campaign contribution, especially if the profits are used to fund Trump’s reelection efforts.
Selling Bibles, she added, “strikes me as a profoundly problematic mixing of religion and state,” given Trump’s position as a former and possibly future president who could shape policies affecting religious institutions and markets.
Quality Concerns and Criticism of the Trump Bible
The quality of the “God Bless the USA” Bible has also come under scrutiny. Tim Wildsmith, a Baptist minister who reviews Bibles on his YouTube channel, purchased one of Trump’s Bibles and was disappointed with its craftsmanship. He noted several signs of poor quality, including a faux-leather cover, sticky pages that tore easily, and words that were tightly crammed together, making the text difficult to read. Wildsmith also pointed out that the Bible lacked basic information such as a copyright page or any indication of where or by whom it was printed.
“I was shocked by how poor the quality of it was,” Wildsmith said in a video review. “It says to me that it’s more about the love of money than it is the love of our country.”
Critics like Wildsmith argue that the Trump Bible, with its high retail price and low production cost, is less about spiritual guidance and more about profit. Some see it as another example of Trump’s commercial ventures, which have ranged from diamond-encrusted watches and sneakers to digital trading cards and cryptocurrency. Throughout his career, Trump has blended business with politics, often raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Commercial Ventures: Bibles, Sneakers, and NFTs
Trump’s involvement in selling Bibles is just one of many for-profit ventures he has launched or promoted, both during his presidency and after leaving office. His ventures include diamond-encrusted watches, photo books, branded sneakers, and even non-fungible tokens (NFTs). One of the more extravagant products linked to Trump is a pair of gold-toned high-top sneakers, priced at $399, which have reportedly sold out on the website promoting the shoes.
These commercial deals have been a point of concern for ethics experts, who argue that Trump’s personal financial interests often conflict with his role as a public figure. While Trump claims that his business ventures are separate from his political activities, critics argue that his ability to profit from these ventures could raise legal and ethical issues, particularly if foreign buyers or government officials purchase products tied to Trump’s name.
As a businessman, Trump has faced accusations of using his political influence to benefit his personal businesses. During his presidency, for example, the Trump administration exempted Bibles and other religious texts from the tariffs imposed on billions of dollars of Chinese goods, raising questions about whether Trump was using his position to protect his financial interests.
Oklahoma’s Bible Bid: A New Opportunity for Trump?
Holy scripture – Bible
One of the most intriguing aspects of Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bible venture is the potential for it to gain traction in public education. Oklahoma’s Department of Education has recently proposed incorporating Scripture into lessons for grades 5 through 12, and the state’s top education official has called for the purchase of 55,000 Bibles for public schools.
Initially, the request was for a Bible that closely matched Trump’s edition—a King James Version containing U.S. founding documents. However, the state revised its request to allow the historical documents to be bound with the Bible or provided separately, suggesting that the state is open to multiple Bible publishers. The proposal represents a potentially lucrative opportunity for Trump, as Oklahoma plans to spend around $3 million on the Bibles.
It remains unclear whether Oklahoma’s Department of Education has had any discussions with Trump or his representatives about the Bible order. The department has not responded to questions from the AP about whether the Bibles must be printed in the U.S. or if officials have considered Trump’s “God Bless the USA” edition.
A Profitable Symbol or a Campaign Tool?
The controversy surrounding Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bible raises significant questions about the intersection of religion, politics, and personal profit. While Trump has built a political career on promoting American-made products and policies aimed at reducing reliance on Chinese imports, his decision to sell a China-printed Bible contradicts the very principles he espouses in his campaign.
The revelation that Trump’s Bible was printed in China adds a new layer of complexity to his public persona. Despite his criticism of China and his calls for tariffs on foreign goods, Trump continues to benefit financially from Chinese production. Whether the Bible becomes