Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, but sparked controversy and concern when he did not place his hand on the Bible during his oath of office. Social media users shared their mixed reactions, with some expressing fears of Trump's intentions to not follow the Constitution and become a dictator. Others made comments about the rushed nature of the ceremony and the significance of Trump's use of two Bibles.
On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. However, his inauguration sparked controversy when he did not place his hand on the Bible during his oath of office.
Traditionally, presidents have placed their hand on the Bible when taking the oath of office. This practice is not required by law, but has been observed by every president since George Washington in 1789.
As Trump recited the oath of office, he held his right hand up and placed his left hand on a stack of two Bibles. The Bibles were held by his wife, Melania, and his daughter, Ivanka.
The decision to not place his hand on the Bible drew immediate criticism from some quarters. Evangelical leader Franklin Graham called it "a slap in the face to every Christian in America." Others expressed concern that Trump's actions were a sign that he did not respect the Constitution or the rule of law.
Some supporters of Trump defended his decision, arguing that it was not a religious ceremony and that he was free to take the oath in any way he chose. Others pointed out that Trump had taken the oath on a Bible in the past, including during his inauguration as president-elect in November 2016.
It is unclear why Trump chose not to place his hand on the Bible during his oath of office. However, the decision has been widely interpreted as a symbolic move. It could be seen as a sign of his willingness to break with tradition and challenge the status quo. Alternatively, it could be seen as a sign of disrespect for the Bible and for America's Christian heritage.
1. Is it legal to take the oath of office without placing your hand on the Bible?
Yes, it is not required by law.
2. Why did Trump not place his hand on the Bible?
The reason is unknown.
3. What was the significance of Trump using two Bibles?
The Bibles were the same ones that Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama used during their inaugurations.
4. What were the reactions to Trump's decision?
The reactions were mixed, with some expressing concern and others defending Trump's decision.
5. What does this incident reveal about Trump's presidency?
It is unclear what the incident reveals about Trump's presidency. It has been interpreted by some as a sign of his willingness to break with tradition, while others see it as a sign of disrespect for the Bible and American Christianity.
After former President Trump revoked his Secret Service protection, former National Security Advisor John Bolton condemned the move as a sign of weakened charges against Trump. Despite past threats from Iran, Biden had granted Bolton a security detail in 2021, but Trump removed it after his inauguration. Bolton also reminded the public of the 2020 U.S. strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, which likely led to the Iranian threats against him.
President Donald Trump was officially inaugurated for a second term today and wasted no time in making his presence known. He quickly enacted a series of executive orders, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. In addition, he fired four senior government officials appointed by Joe Biden and threatened to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada. The controversy surrounding his inauguration continues to escalate as video footage of tech billionaire Elon Musk's "Nazi" gesture at a Trump rally surfaces. Amidst all this activity, Trump's return to power marks a significant moment in American history, as he becomes only the second president to hold non-consecutive terms.
A shocking kidney transplant racket was uncovered in a joint raid conducted by law enforcement and health authorities at Alakananda Hospital in Hyderabad's Doctors Colony. The hospital staff allegedly lured women with promises of financial gain and illegally conducted organ transplants. One person has been arrested and four critically ill donors have been rushed to another hospital. The incident has prompted calls for stricter monitoring of hospitals allowed to perform organ transplants.
As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, the BJP is gearing up for a series of rallies to attract Purvanchali voters. The rallies will feature top leaders including PM Narendra Modi, CM Yogi Adityanath, and other prominent Purvanchali faces. The party is also set to organize bike rallies and attract support from various states, with UP CM Yogi Adityanath expected to address 14 rallies in Delhi.
In the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly Elections, BJP's Kalkaji candidate Ramesh Bidhuri drew controversy over his derogatory remarks towards Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and AAP's Atishi. The Delhi Chief Election Commissioner issued a warning against such language, but many women voters in Kalkaji are disturbed by Bidhuri's comments and believe it reflects his attitude towards women. With a sizeable female electorate in Kalkaji, Bidhuri's remarks could potentially sway how women in the constituency vote.
Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Samrat Choudhary, has revealed the state's focus on agriculture and IT sectors in the upcoming budget for 2025-26. He stated that discussions with various stakeholders, including government officials, industrialists, and residents of Patna, have taken place to incorporate their insights into the budget framework. The government aims to align with the Central government's innovative budgeting approach to drive growth, employment, and investment in Bihar. The budget session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly is set to commence soon, coinciding with the Union Budget session in the Lok Sabha.
BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri's derogatory comment about Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has sparked controversy and criticism from the AAP. This is not the first time Bidhuri has made sexist statements against Atishi, who is running against him in the upcoming elections. The Delhi CM's party has condemned Bidhuri's remarks and vowed to not forgive such abusive behavior from both him and his party.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is facing criticism from both the BJP and opposition parties for his version of the Ramayana story, which he narrated during a recent election rally. Kejriwal's remarks, where he compared the BJP to a golden deer, have been deemed as offensive and disrespectful towards the Hindu religion. BJP leaders are demanding an apology from the CM, while the opposition leader has slammed him for his lack of knowledge on the epic tale.
A viral video capturing Joe Biden's gestures during the inauguration of Donald Trump has left netizens amused. The video shows Biden making a quick prayer and laughing as he sat behind the podium with Kamala Harris. His reactions were captured after Senator Amy Klobuchar announced Trump and JD Vance's arrival for the peaceful transfer of power. With over 2 million views, the video has sparked funny comments from viewers, with one user jokingly saying, "May the odds be ever in your favor America!"
As Donald Trump officially took office as the 47th President of the United States, his slate of executive orders gained attention for their controversial nature. From postponing a ban on popular social media app TikTok to cracking down on illegal immigration, Trump's first few hours as President set the tone for his promised "Golden America." Along with these bold moves, Trump's inauguration also saw his son Barron being praised for his involvement in Trump's election victory, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk facing backlash for an awkward salute that some compared to the "Heil Hitler" gesture.