Donald Trump has faced criticism from viewers after appearing to struggle while reading a Bible passage from a teleprompter during a marathon reading of scripture.
The US president took part in the event alongside leading Christian supporters and senior Republicans, delivering his reading from the Oval Office while other participants gathered at the Museum of the Bible in Washington.
Mr Trump recited an Old Testament passage from the seventh chapter of 2 Chronicles, which calls for national repentance in ancient Israel. The verse, often used by those who promote the belief that America has been and should be a Christian nation, reads: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
During the live stream, some viewers claimed the president was reading from a teleprompter despite having his hands folded on an open Bible. One person commented that he was “struggling to read,” while another suggested the segment had been recorded days earlier.
In a statement, Mr Trump said the Bible is “indelibly woven into our national identity and way of life.” The event comes shortly after he faced criticism for circulating a meme in which he appeared as Jesus; he later removed the image and insisted it depicted him as a doctor in a white robe.
One viewer remarked: “Trump thinks he can commit blasphemy and post an AI picture of himself as Christ and read a few chapters of the bible and think everything's ok.”
