On the day of his inauguration, Donald J. Trump was seen raising his right hand to pledge as president while his left hand remained at his side. His wife, Melania Trump, held two significant Bibles—a family Bible and one that belonged to Abraham Lincoln—yet Mr. Trump chose not to place his hand on either, a choice that sparked questions about the reasoning behind it.
This moment marked a contrast to previous traditions, such as that of George Washington, who famously kissed the Bible he used during his swearing-in ceremony. Although Mr. Trump's decision diverges from the customary practice observed during his first inauguration in 2017, it's important to note that the act of placing a hand on a Bible is not a mandatory requirement for taking the presidential oath. The reasons for this particular choice were not clarified by the White House following the event.
6 Comments
Donatello
It's a personal choice and should not reflect negatively on his commitments to the nation.
Leonardo
The oath is about the commitment to the office, not the presentation. I respect his choice.
Michelangelo
Why does everyone care so much about a Bible? He still took the oath—let’s focus on that!
Raphael
Tradition isn’t everything. He’s redefining what it means to be a president.
Donatello
We should applaud him for not blindly following outdated practices. It’s a new era!
Raphael
Traditions change, and it’s okay to pave a new path. America is all about evolving!