President Trump didn’t swear on a Bible at his inauguration

In swearing-in ceremony, President Trump's hand wasn't on his Bible. Does it matter?
Despite social media attention, the Constitution protects freedom of religion. So putting a hand on a Bible, or even using one at all, isn't required.
No, the president does not have to swear the oath of office on a Bible
President Trump didn't place his hand on a Bible when he took his oath of office on Jan. 20, 2025. He’s not the first president to swear the oath without doing so.
Trump does not swear on Bible during inauguration, no impact on oath
U.S. President Donald Trump took his oath of office on Monday with his right hand raised, but without placing his left hand on the two Bibles that his wife Melania held as she stood by his side.
Trump’s Bible move during swearing-in raises eyebrows
President-elect Donald Trump, from left, takes the oath of office as son Barron Trump and wife Melania Trump watch during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP) AP
Why will Trump take his oath on two Bibles during his swearing-in ceremony?
Donald Trump will place his hand on two Bibles during the swearing-in ceremony: the Lincoln Bible from 1861 and one gifted by his mother in 1955. The Lincoln Bible has been used three times since, by President Barack Obama at each of his inaugurations and by Donald Trump in 2017.
See the Inauguration Day schedule for Trump's 2025 presidential swearing in
The inauguration marks the official transfer of presidential power, with the executive branch changing hands from the Biden administration to the Trump administration. The 20th Amendment states that a president's four-year term ends at noon on Jan. 20, and the president-elect is sworn in shortly after.
Donald Trump didn’t put his hand on the Bible during his oath of office. He’s still the president.
Although presidents and other government officials have historically sworn the oath on a Bible, the Constitution doesn’t require it.
Trump takes oath of office without hand on Bible. Social media quick to react
President Trump's family wasn't in place as the oath of office began, including his wife, Melania, who was holding two Bibles.
Trump doesn't place hand on Bible during swearing-in
Trump took the oath of office on Monday immediately after Vice President JD Vance was sworn in by Associate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. As Vance took the oath of office, he placed his right hand on a Bible that was held by his wife, Usha Vance, as she also held one of their three children.
President Trump didn’t swear on a Bible at his inauguration. Is it a requirement?
As millions watched President Donald Trump’s inauguration at the White House on Monday, Jan. 20, many noticed that he did not place his left hand on a Bible while being sworn in. Now people are questioning that gesture,
Did Trump Put His Hand On The Bible During Oath Of Office? Here’s Everything To Know About The Tradition
President Donald Trump faced backlash after critics noted that he did not place his hand on the Bible during his inauguration on Monday, raising questions about the tradition’s significance during the formal ceremony.
MAGA supporters blame this person for Trump not placing his hand on Bible while being sworn in
Theodore Roosevelt did not use a Bible when he was sworn in following the death of President William McKinley in 1901. Lyndon ...
Trump Sworn In: Inauguration 2025 Live Updates
Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States at noon. We'll be posting live updates.