The boss of Oklahoma public schools is not happy with claims that only Donald Trump-endorsed Bibles meet the criteria for his mandate of the good book in every classroom.
Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters is seeking to purchase 55,000 Bibles for public schools and specifying that each copy contain the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
The nonprofit news outlet Oklahoma Watch first reported the requirements match the ‘God Bless the USA Bible’ that Trump urged his supporters to begin buying earlier this year at a website that sells the book for $59.99.
A spokesperson for Walters denied any direct connection after saying ‘it would be inappropriate to comment while bids are being placed’ on the Bible supply but promises a multitude of bidders.
‘We are excited to bring back the Bible in its essential historical and literary context to Oklahoma classrooms,’ Dan Isett added in a statement.
FILE – State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks to members of the State Board of Education during a meeting, Aug. 24, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Daniel Shular/Tulsa World via AP, File)
The nonprofit news outlet Oklahoma Watch first reported Thursday that the requirements match the ‘God Bless the USA Bible’ that Trump urged his supporters to begin buying earlier this year at a website that sells the book for $59.99
‘Superintendent Walters has committed the agency to an open and transparent RFP process, consistent with the norms for state procurement, that will be adequate to meet the needs of Oklahoma classrooms.’
‘There are hundreds of Bible publishers and we expect a robust competition for this proposal.’
The request is part of Walters’ ongoing efforts to require Bibles in every classroom, which has been met with resistance by some of Oklahoma’s largest school districts.
Walters is seeking to spend $3 million in state funds for Bibles that fit a certain criteria, including that the pages are supplemented with U.S. historical materials.
The Bibles must also be ‘bound in leather or leather-like material for durability,’ according to state bidding documents posted this week.
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat, said the bid ‘does not pass the smell test’ and said a court could void it if the process was found to limit competition.
‘All fingers point to the Trump Bible that does contain all these requirements,’ Edmondson said.
Walters initially made the decree in June, hoping to get the mandate in place by the new school year.
Trump began selling the Bibles earlier this year ahead of Easter with the slogan: ‘Make America Pray Again!’
‘Effective immediately, all Oklahoma schools are required to incorporate the Bible, which includes the Ten Commandments, as an instructional support into the curriculum across specified grade levels, e.g. grades 5 through 12,’ Walters said.
Adherence to the mandate is compulsory and ‘immediate and strict compliance is expected.’
‘The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone,’ Walters said. ‘Without basic knowledge of it, Oklahoma students are unable to properly contextualize the foundation of our nation which is why Oklahoma educational standards provide for its instruction.’
The bidding documents also specify that the Bibles include both the Old Testament and New Testament, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Bill of Rights.
‘We can see there are very few Bibles on the market that would meet these criteria, and all of them have been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,’ said Colleen McCarty, executive director of Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.
The name of the Bible backed by Trump is inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood´s patriotic ballad.
Greenwood is offering the Bibles for sale through a website, GodBlessTheUSABible.com.
The website features a picture of Trump and Greenwood together in the Oval Office.
Trump takes the stage to the song at each of his rallies and has appeared with Greenwood at events.
Donald Trump with country singer Lee Greenwood in November 2018 – Greenwood’s song God Bless the USA is Trump’s walk-on music for his political rally
‘Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible,’ Trump said in a video on Truth Social announcing his new venture.
‘All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It’s my favorite book. It’s a lot of people’s favorite book,’ he adds.
The Bible´s website states the product ‘is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign.’
It says the site ‘uses Donald J. Trump´s name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC.’
Trump reported earning $300,000 off sales of the Bible, according to financial disclosures released in August.
Walters, himself a former public school teacher who was elected to his post in 2022, ran on a platform of fighting ‘woke ideology,’ banning books from school libraries and getting rid of ‘radical leftists’ who he claims are indoctrinating children in classrooms.
