Trump Reads from Bible in Oval Office Amid Clash with Pope and ‘AI Jesus’ Image Controversy
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Politics & Religion
President Donald Trump appeared in a recorded Oval Office message for the “America Reads the Bible” event on Tuesday, April 21, reading a passage from the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles . The two-and-a-half-minute video was streamed online as part of a week-long marathon reading of scripture marking the 250th anniversary of American independence .
The event comes just days after Trump drew criticism for sharing—and then deleting—an AI-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like healer, and amid an escalating public feud with Pope Leo XIV over the U.S.-led war with Iran .
The Oval Office Reading
Trump delivered the passage from behind the Resolute Desk, his hands folded on an open Bible, as cameras cut between two angles. The video was pre-recorded and streamed between 6-7 p.m. ET .
“I applaud every citizen participating in the America Reads the Bible initiative,” Trump said in a statement ahead of the event. “Together, we will honor Holy Scripture, renew our faith, usher in a historic resurgence of religion on American shores and rededicate the United States as one Nation under God” .
The president read from 2 Chronicles 7:11–22, a passage that describes God’s appearance to King Solomon after the dedication of the temple in ancient Jerusalem . The most quoted verse reads:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” .
This passage has long been invoked by Christian conservatives who argue that America was founded as—and should remain—a Christian nation, a claim many historians dispute .
The ‘America Reads the Bible’ Event
The week-long reading marathon, which began April 18 and runs through April 25, is organized by Christians Engaged, a nonprofit whose mission includes “discipling Americans on biblical worldview and their responsibilities to pray, vote and engage” .
Nearly 500 participants are taking turns reading the Bible from beginning to end, with most readings taking place at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. .
Republican Participation
The participant list is overwhelmingly Republican, leading critics to label the event a partisan political exercise rather than a unifying spiritual endeavor .
Other Trump administration officials and allies participating include:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth – who has cited Bible verses in press briefings and leads prayers at the Pentagon
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- House Speaker Mike Johnson
- Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas)
- Evangelist Franklin Graham
- Pastor Paula White-Cain, who heads Trump’s White House Faith Office
Organizers said they invited Democratic members of Congress and leaders of more progressive denominations, but that they did not accept .
Criticism: ‘Christian Nationalism’
Critics have accused the event of promoting “Christian nationalism”—the belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed according to Christian principles—a view rejected by many historians .
“The list of participants shows it to be very much a right-wing MAGA, Christian nationalist effort,” said Brian Kaylor, author of “The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power” .
“If they wanted this to be a unifying American project, there would have been a whole lot more attention to getting political diversity and ideological diversity,” Kaylor added .
Historian Jemar Tisby criticized the event on Facebook: “You cannot quote the Bible while justifying violence, war and exclusion” .
Pastor Doug Pagitt, executive director of the progressive group Vote Common Good, echoed the sentiment: “If you like reading the Bible, try living it” .
Controversy Over ‘AI Jesus’ Image
The Bible reading comes just one week after Trump faced rare criticism from his evangelical supporters for sharing an AI-generated image on Truth Social that appeared to depict him as a Jesus-like figure .
The image showed a white-robed Trump as a healer, surrounded by patriotic symbols including American flags, eagles, and the Statue of Liberty. Trump later deleted the post after the backlash .
He insisted he had been depicted as a doctor, not Jesus, telling reporters: “I thought it was me as a doctor. I thought it had to do with The Red Cross, which I support” .
He then shared another AI image showing Jesus hugging him, with the caption: “The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!!” .
Bunni Pounds, founder of Christians Engaged and organizer of the Bible reading event, said Trump’s decision to remove the first image was “moving,” adding that the Bible reading had already been planned before the controversy .
Feud with Pope Leo XIV
The Bible reading also comes amid an escalating public dispute between Trump and Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff .
The pope has criticized the U.S.-led war with Iran, warning against those who “manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth” .
On Friday, Trump told reporters: “I have a right to disagree with the Pope” .
Viewer Reactions
Live stream viewers noted that Trump appeared to be reading from a teleprompter rather than the Bible itself, with his gaze fixed directly into the camera . Some claimed the president “struggled” while delivering the passage .
One viewer remarked: “Trump thinks he can commit blasphemy and post an AI picture of himself as Christ and read a few chapters of the bible and think everything’s ok” .
Another said: “Trump is struggling to read” .
What Comes Next
The Bible-reading marathon continues through April 25, with additional readings from other Republican officials and evangelical leaders. The event precedes a larger “National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving” scheduled for May 17 on the National Mall, part of Trump’s “America Prays” project calling for prayer and to “rededicate ourselves to one nation under God” .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Bible passage did Trump read?
Trump read 2 Chronicles 7:11–22, an Old Testament passage describing God’s appearance to King Solomon after the dedication of the temple .
2. When did Trump’s Bible reading take place?
The pre-recorded video was streamed on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, between 6-7 p.m. ET .
3. What is the “America Reads the Bible” event?
It is a week-long marathon reading of the entire Bible, organized by Christians Engaged, timed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence .
4. Why is the event controversial?
Critics say the participant list is overwhelmingly Republican and that the event promotes “Christian nationalism”—the belief that America was founded as a Christian nation, a claim many historians dispute .
5. What was the “AI Jesus” image controversy?
Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like healer, then deleted it after backlash. He claimed the image showed him as a doctor, not Jesus .
6. Is Trump feuding with the Pope?
Yes. Trump and Pope Leo XIV have exchanged public disagreements over the U.S.-led war with Iran. Trump told reporters he has “a right to disagree with the Pope” .
7. What other officials are participating in the Bible reading?
Participants include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Ted Cruz, and evangelist Franklin Graham, among others .
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