By Damilola Adeleke

U.S. President Donald Trump took his oath of office on Monday, January 20, raising his right hand but notably not placing his left hand on the two Bibles held by First Lady Melania Trump. This unprecedented move has triggered widespread discussions among Americans online.

Google reported a spike in searches related to Trump’s decision, with many questioning why he opted against the traditional practice. During his first inauguration in 2017, Trump placed his right hand on two Bibles as he was sworn in as the 45th President.

Vice President JD Vance, who was sworn in just before Trump, followed the conventional path, placing his right hand on a Bible held by his wife, Usha Vance. However, Trump’s choice to keep his hand at his side marks him as the first president in over a century to omit the use of a religious book during the oath-taking ceremony.

Historically, a few other presidents have also skipped this tradition. John Quincy Adams took the oath in 1825 while reading a law book, and Theodore Roosevelt declined the use of a Bible during his 1901 inauguration. In 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson used a Catholic missal while taking the oath aboard Air Force One following the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Trump’s decision has ignited debates, particularly among Christians and traditionalists, about the significance and symbolism of using the Bible during such a solemn occasion.