Donald Trump has faced backlash after taking part in a public Bible-reading event, which has also renewed attention on his past comments about his favorite scripture.

The US president appeared in a pre-recorded video filmed in the Oval Office, where he read a passage from the Old Testament as part of a marathon event centered on reading the Bible.

His participation quickly drew criticism, with some questioning both the timing and the message behind the specific verse he chose.

The video came shortly after Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself portrayed as a Christ-like figure on social media, adding to the controversy surrounding his use of religious imagery.

He has also been in a public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, who has strongly criticized Trump’s stance on the conflict with Iran.

For the reading, Trump selected a passage from the Book of 2 Chronicles (7:11–22), a section that some interpret as having political meaning.

Historically, this passage has often been cited by groups who argue that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, despite the fact that the country’s founding principles emphasize the separation of church and state.

That principle is clearly outlined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom and prevents government establishment of religion.

In the video, Trump read:

“If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

Following the release, many critics took to social media, describing the moment as a publicity move. Some questioned whether the reading reflected genuine religious practice, while others argued it was being used for political messaging rather than faith.

The reaction also brought renewed focus to a 2015 interview with Bloomberg, in which Trump was asked about his favorite Bible verse.

At the time, he said the Bible was very meaningful to him but declined to name a specific passage, calling it a personal matter.

When asked whether he preferred the Old or New Testament, he responded that he valued both equally, describing the Bible as “incredible,” and added that his book The Art of the Deal was his second favorite after it.

Despite the criticism, some supporters welcomed Trump’s participation in the event, which is part of a broader initiative called America Reads the Bible.

They argued that publicly reading scripture is meaningful, especially in a world where some people face consequences for expressing their faith openly, and viewed the moment as a positive display of religious expression.