Oklahoma superintendent: $3 million worth of Trump Bibles still 'going to happen' despite no funds

20 May

Ryan Walters, Image via Screengrab.

The Oklahoman reports state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters is insisting every Oklahoma public school classroom will have ‘Trump Bibles’ by fall, despite the Republican-controlled Legislature making no room in the state budget to give him the $3 million he needs to purchase the books.

Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the state’s 2026 budget, and while it does increase funding for Walters’ Oklahoma State Department of Education, there is no mention of Walters’ $3 million request for Bibles. Despite this, Walters says he is confident the books are inbound.

“The Legislature can put the money there or not," Walters said at a May 16 news conference. "We're going to have a Bible in every classroom this fall. So that's going to happen. So we're doing that. We've been very straightforward on how we're doing that.”

So-called “Trump Bibles,” or “God Bless the USA” Bibles, average in price between $60 and $1,000 for copies signed by the president. They are endorsed by President Donald Trump, who receives fees for his endorsement. The Oklahoman reports Walters’ agency has already purchased 532 Trump Bibles at a cost of roughly $25,000.

An Oklahoma ACLU lawsuit over Walters’ attempt to purchase the books with taxpayer money is pending in the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The state's highest civil court temporarily halted Walters’ effort until the court finishes deliberation.

“Politicians have no business imposing their preferred religious doctrine on students and families in public schools,” said Megan Lambert, legal director of ACLU of Oklahoma. “… Oklahoma communities are religiously diverse, and we will not allow our religious freedom to be undermined.”

After courts stymied Walter’s effort, the superintendent teamed up with country music artist Lee Greenwood to collect donations to buy the books.

Read the full Oklahoman report here.

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