Do presidents have to place hand on Bible when being sworn in?  Donald Trump seemingly forgets to put a hand on the Bible

On Monday, January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump appeared to forget to put his hand on the Bibles for the swearing-in ceremony. Multiple photos circulating online showed Trump instead leaving his left arm by his side and not on the Bible he brought for the inauguration ceremony.

Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko shared the photo on Blue Sky and wrote:

“No hand on the bible. Does that mean he is not president?”

Another user added:

“No hand on the Bible; he didn’t actually take the oath."

Several users on X also remarked on Trump's choosing to not place his hand on the Bible, as custom dictated in the past.

A social media user said:

“No hand on the Bible... means no oath was taken...!

Another user noted "No tiny hand on the Bible. He didn't swear an oath to the Office of the President.”

Meanwhile, a netizen alleged the constitution stated:

“If you don't place your hand on the Bible the election results are invalid and the previous president gets a 2nd term. Section 4 subsection D, paragraph 14.”

The post has been viewed over 23,000 times. It should be noted this is false. The Constitution doesn’t require placing a hand Bible for the oath of office. It is merely a tradition, which began with George Washington in 1789 when he borrowed a Bible from a Masonic Lodge in New York City.

However, not everyone has used the bible to take the oath of office. John Quincy Adams reportedly used a book of law in 1825. Theodore Roosevelt reportedly did not use anything when he was sworn into office in 1901. According to Newsweek, the Historic tradition signifies:

"faith, continuity, and commitment to uphold the Constitution."

---

Donald Trump takes the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States

According to the Independent, on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony, the President's wife Melania stood next to the president and held two Bibles. One was reportedly given to the President by his mother in 1955 and the second was the bible used during President Lincoln’s swearing-in ceremony in 1861.

While the president did not place his hand on the bible, he did repeat the Oath of office after the chief Justice, stating:

“I swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States And will to the best of my ability. Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.”

Trump is now the 47th president of the United States.