Trump takes part in Bible-reading marathon

Donald Trump quotes a passage from the Bible. Photo: video still from America Reads the Bible

U.S. President Donald Trump read an Old Testament passage from the Oval Office as part of the nationwide “America Reads the Bible” marathon on April 21, 2026. The event was tied to a weeklong public reading of the Bible in Washington, D.C., with organizers aiming to complete the full text over 84 hours.

In a prerecorded video message filmed at his desk in the Oval Office, Trump read from 2 Chronicles 7:11–22. The passage includes the well-known verse promising healing for the land in response to repentance and prayer.

“‘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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land,’” Trump read from Scripture.

Immediately after the president’s appearance, the marathon continued with former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and his wife, Candy Carson.

Organizers said religious and political figures were scheduled to read daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Museum of the Bible. They said the initiative was intended to encourage Americans to return to regular Scripture reading ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the pope had said he was not afraid of Trump and would continue speaking out against wars.

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