The head of Oklahoma’s public schools is unhappy with claims that only Bibles endorsed by Donald Trump meet his mandate’s criteria of having a good book in every classroom.
Republican state Superintendent Ryan Walters is seeking to purchase 55,000 Bibles for public schools and specifies that each copy contain the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
Nonprofit news outlet Oklahoma Watch first reported that the requirements match the ‘God Bless the USA Bible’ that Trump urged his supporters to start purchasing earlier this year on a website that sells the book. for $59.99.
A spokesman for Walters denied any direct connection after saying “it would be inappropriate to comment while bidding is being made” on the supply of the Bible, but he promises a host of bidders.
“We are excited to bring the Bible back in its essential historical and literary context to Oklahoma classrooms,” Dan Isett added in a statement.
FILE – State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks with members of the State Board of Education during a meeting, Aug. 24, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Daniel Shular/Tulsa World via AP, file)
Nonprofit news outlet Oklahoma Watch first reported Thursday that the requirements match the ‘God Bless the USA Bible’ that Trump urged his supporters to start purchasing earlier this year on a website that sells the book for $59.99.
“Superintendent Walters has committed the agency to pursuing an open and transparent RFP process, consistent with state procurement standards, that will be adequate to meet the needs of Oklahoma classrooms.”
“There are hundreds of Bible publishers and we expect strong competition for this proposal.”
The request is part of Walters’ ongoing efforts to require Bibles in all classrooms, which has been met with resistance from some of Oklahoma’s largest school districts.
Walters seeks to spend $3 million in state funds on Bibles that meet certain criteria, including that the pages be supplemented with American historical materials.
Bibles must also be “bound in leather or leather-like material for durability,” according to state bidding documents released this week.
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat, said the offer “does not pass the smell test” and said a court could strike it down if the process is found to limit competition.
“All fingers point to the Trump Bible that contains all of these requirements,” Edmondson said.
Walters initially issued the order in June, hoping to have the mandate in place for the new school year.
Trump began selling the Bibles earlier this year before Easter with the slogan: ‘Make America Pray Again!’
“Effective immediately, all Oklahoma schools must incorporate the Bible, which includes the Ten Commandments, as an instructional support in the curriculum at specific grade levels, for example, fifth through twelfth grades,” Walters said.
Adherence to the mandate is mandatory and “immediate and strict compliance is expected.”
“The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone,” Walters said. “Without basic knowledge, Oklahoma students cannot adequately contextualize the foundations of our nation, which is why Oklahoma’s educational standards provide for their instruction.”
The bidding documents also specify that the Bibles include both the Old and New Testaments, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Bill of Rights.
“We can see that there are very few Bibles on the market that meet these criteria, and all of them have been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,” said Colleen McCarty, executive director of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.
The name of the Trump-endorsed Bible is inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad.
Greenwood offers the Bibles for sale through a website, GodBlessTheBibleUSA.com.
The website features a photo 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 music for his political rally.
‘Happy Easter! Let’s make America pray again. As we approach Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to pick up a copy of the Bible God Bless the USA,’ Trump said in a video on Truth Social announcing his new venture.
‘Every American needs a Bible in their home, and I have many. It’s my favorite book. It is the favorite book of many people,” he adds.
The Bible website states that the product is “non-political and has nothing to do with any political campaign.”
It says the site “uses the name, likeness and likeness of Donald J. Trump under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC.”
Trump reported making $300,000 from Bible sales, according to financial disclosures released in August.
Walters, a former public school teacher who was elected to his position in 2022, ran on a platform of fighting “woke ideology,” banning books from school libraries and getting rid of “radical leftists” who he said They are indoctrinating children in classrooms.