An Episcopal priest blasted Donald Trump for selling the Bible in his latest attempt to raise money.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, posted a video to his Truth Social account on Tuesday urging his supporters to get their copy of the ‘God Bless the USA’ Bible inspired by country music star Lee Greenwood, whose song “God Bless the U.S.A.” is ever present at Trump rallies.
“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 in the post, which also included a link directing his supporters to a website where they can purchase the book for $59.99.
Rev. Nathan Empsall, executive director of Faithful America—the largest online community of Christians, according to their website—told Newsweek that they’ve heard from many of their members who are upset by the move.
Trump selling copies of the Bible “during Holy Week like it’s just one more overpriced Trump shoe or steak has really touched a nerve among voters,” Empsall said, adding, “seeing the indicted, would-be dictator, sell so-called ‘patriotic’ Bibles does provide a parallel to Holy Week, but it’s not with Jesus.”
The reverend also urged Trump to read the Bible and compared his actions to those of the money-changers who were kicked out of the temple for ripping off worshippers.
“Trump is doing his best impression of the corrupt money-changers who profited by ripping off worshippers,” Empsall said. “Today, much like Jesus overturning the money-changers’ tables, Christians are sick of seeing MAGA’s false prophets twist our loving faith for an agenda of hatred and selfishness.”
He continued: “The Bible is bigger than any politician, and if Trump really wants to talk about Scripture, I suggest he try actually reading it first. He might actually learn a few things about love, humility, money, and peace.”
The Bible being sold by Trump includes a King James Version translation, copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as a handwritten chorus of Greenwood’s song.
The website describes the book as “the only Bible endorsed by President Trump!” adding that it is “Easy-to-read” with “large print” and a “slim design.”
