The God Bless the USA Bible: A Comprehensive Look at America's Most Controversial Religious Publication

The intersection of faith and patriotism has taken a tangible form in the "God Bless the USA Bible," a publication that has sparked significant debate across religious and political circles since its introduction. This unique compilation combines traditional Christian scripture with foundational American documents, creating a product that has divided opinions nationwide.

Origins and Development

The God Bless the USA Bible was first published in May 2021 by country music singer Lee Greenwood to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The publication takes its name and inspiration from Greenwood's patriotic anthem that has become a fixture at political rallies and patriotic events across America.

Originally intended to use the New International Version translation, the Bible ultimately features the King James Version after Zondervan, HarperCollins' religious publishing division, declined to provide licensing rights following public complaints. This decision led to the use of the King James Version, which is in the public domain in the United States.

What's Inside the Publication

The God Bless the USA Bible distinguishes itself from traditional Bibles through its unique combination of religious and patriotic content. The leather-bound volume features a U.S. flag on its cover and includes the complete KJV Bible alongside the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution (before amendments), the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Lee Greenwood's handwritten chorus to "God Bless the USA".

The Bible is printed in an easy-to-read, two-column format with the words of Jesus highlighted in red, includes a presentation page, and features a gold ribbon marker. Designed with large print and a slim profile, it's marketed as portable for church, Bible study, work, or travel.

Pricing and Availability

The standard version sells for $59.99, considerably more expensive than traditional Bibles available at major retailers or those distributed free at churches and hotels. The Bible is exclusively available through the official website at godblesstheusabible.com, with various special editions available at higher price points.

Interestingly, The Associated Press reported that nearly 120,000 copies were printed in Hangzhou, China, and shipped to the United States at a cost of less than $3 per book, highlighting the significant markup in retail pricing.

Political Endorsement and Controversy

The publication gained renewed attention in 2024 when former President Donald Trump began promoting it during his presidential campaign. Trump released a promotional video on Truth Social platform urging supporters to purchase the Bible for $59.99, timing the announcement during Holy Week.

The website markets it as "the only Bible endorsed by" Trump, noting that his "name, likeness and image" are used under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC. However, the publishers maintain that the website "is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign".

Religious Community Response

The publication has faced significant criticism from various religious leaders and communities. Charlotte, North Carolina evangelical pastor Loran Livingston gave a sermon denouncing the Trump Bible as "blasphemous" and "disgusting" for tying the Bible to American politics.

Baptist minister and YouTube Bible reviewer Tim Wildsmith described it as "overpriced," "a money grab," and "a really cheap[ly made] Bible," with his review garnering over 500,000 views. Quality concerns have been raised, with reports of sticky pages that ripped when readers tried to separate them and letters packed too tightly for easy reading.

Educational Sector Involvement

The Bible became part of a larger educational controversy in Oklahoma. State Superintendent Ryan Walters required all public schools to teach from the Bible and later opened bids for 55,000 Bibles with specifications that effectively limited eligible options to this publication and one other Trump-endorsed version.

The bid requirements specified King James Version Bibles that must include the Pledge of Allegiance, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights, bound in leather or leather-like material – criteria that closely match the God Bless the USA Bible's contents.

Constitutional and Content Issues

Critics have noted significant omissions in the publication's constitutional content. The Bible was found to be missing amendments 11-27 to the Constitution, representing a substantial portion of constitutional development including important civil rights protections.

The selective inclusion of founding documents has raised questions about the completeness and educational value of the historical content provided alongside the biblical text.

Quality and Manufacturing Concerns

Beyond pricing criticisms, the physical quality of the publication has come under scrutiny. The publishers acknowledge that pages may stick together due to gold gilding around the edges, providing instructional videos to help users separate pages properly.

Independent reviewers have reported issues with page quality, binding durability, and text legibility, raising questions about the value proposition given the premium pricing.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The God Bless the USA Bible represents a broader phenomenon in American religious culture known as civil religion – the blending of patriotic and religious sentiments. Scholars have identified it as a product of American Civil Religion and Trumpism, reflecting how political and religious identities can intersect in contemporary America.

This publication has become a symbol in debates about the appropriate relationship between faith and patriotism, with supporters viewing it as celebrating America's Christian heritage and critics seeing it as an inappropriate commercialization of sacred text.

Market Performance and Distribution

Despite controversies, the Bible has found a significant market among certain demographics. The publication has sold tens of thousands of copies, indicating substantial demand within its target audience of patriotic Christians and political supporters.

The exclusive online distribution model has allowed the publishers to maintain higher profit margins while controlling the narrative around the product's positioning and marketing.

Looking Forward

The God Bless the USA Bible continues to serve as a focal point for discussions about the role of Christianity in American public life, the commercialization of religious texts, and the intersection of faith and politics. Whether viewed as a meaningful expression of patriotic faith or a controversial commercialization of sacred scripture, it represents a significant cultural phenomenon in contemporary American religious and political discourse.

As debates continue about its appropriateness and quality, the publication remains a tangible representation of how Americans navigate the complex relationship between religious belief and national identity in the 21st century.