'Melania was late': MAGA blames first lady after Trump doesn’t place hand on Bible during swearing-in

20 January

Donald Trump's second presidency officially got underway when, on Monday, January 20, 2025, he was sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts.

During the ceremony, Trump was asked to place his hand on the Holy Bible.

But former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, in a January 20 post on X, formerly Twitter, wrote, "As he swore the (oath) of office, Trump did not place his hand on the Bible."

Steele posted an Associated Press (AP) photo from the swearing-in ceremony. In the photo, Trump is seen raising his right hand while his left hand is hanging at his side — not placed on the Bible, which First Lady Melania Trum was holding.

Steele, now an MSNBC host, served as RNC chairman during Barack Obama's presidency. But he is very much a Never Trump conservative and has been highly critical of Trump. After supporting former Joe Biden in the 2020 election, Steele supported Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in 2024.

Many users of X, formerly Twitter, have been reacting to Steele's tweet and others on the swearing-in ceremony.

Writer Greg Cantwell mockingly tweeted, "He was afraid his hand would burn if he put it on the Bible and lied."

Writer Adam Schwarz posted, "Melania was late walking up to Trump with the bible. As a result, Trump did not remember to put his hand over the [B]ible during the swearing in. I have looked back at decades of US presidential inaugurations and can't find another example of this."

MAGA Republican Wendy Patterson defended Trump by blaming Roberts and tweeted, "Supreme Court Justice Roberts didn't wait for Trump's family or the Bible before he started swearing trump in. I have NO idea why Trump allowed that loser to swear him in. It wasn't required under the Constitution."

The New York Post's Steven Greenstreet posted, "People are pointing out that Trump didn't have his hand on the Bible during his swearing in. This is true, but lacking context. It appears Melania Trump, who had the Bible, arrived at her husband's side a few seconds too late."

MAGA Republican Pete Stevenson tweeted, "While Trump did not place his hand on the Bible, it is still legit. This swearing in is ceremonial. Never fear, there will be another official swearing in later today and he WILL place his hand on the Bible."

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