A notable break from US tradition was observed on Monday during the presidential inauguration of US President Donald Trump when he took the oath of office without placing his hand on the Bible, which has sparked a wave of discussions across social media and news platforms.
The ceremony, held at the U.S. Capitol, was observed by millions as Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump, making him the 47th President of the United States.
Onlookers and media outlets immediately picked up Trump’s decision not to place his hand on the Bible, a long-standing tradition for many U.S. presidents.
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump was seen holding two Bibles—one a family heirloom gifted to Trump by his mother and the other the historic Lincoln Bible, which has been used in past ceremonies since Abraham Lincoln’s 1861 inauguration.
Despite this, Trump’s right hand was raised, but his left did not touch the Bibles as he recited the oath.
This deviation was first highlighted on X by user @ayeejuju, who posted, “Trump did NOT put his hand on the Bible while being sworn in 😭.”
Public reactions have varied widely. Some expressed surprise and humour, with @Cyressssss laughing it off with “😂😂😂😂 What’s bro looking at?”
Others speculated on the reasons behind this choice, with @suayrez noting, “Trump did it in 2016; you only do it once 💀,” suggesting that this was a one-time tradition.
There was also a sentiment of support, as seen in @wealth_turtle’s comment, “Trump can do whatever he wants.”
Critics and observers have pointed out that this action, while not legally required, breaks from a symbolic norm that many consider integral to the ceremonial aspect of power transfer.
According to Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, there is no religious test required for office, which legally supports Trump’s choice. However, the tradition has deep historical roots, with presidents from George Washington to recent predecessors often choosing to include the Bible in their ceremonies.
The debate has also touched on broader themes of secularism in governance, with some users like
@BillyBaldwin
questioning the reaction if a different president had made the same choice.
Trump’s inaugural address later referenced divine intervention, stating, “I was saved by God to make America great again,” which might suggest a personal acknowledgement of faith despite the earlier ceremonial deviation.
As America moves forward under Trump’s leadership, this moment will likely be remembered as a curious footnote in the history of presidential inaugurations, prompting ongoing discussions about tradition, symbolism, and personal choice in the highest office of the land.