• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Donald Trump made huge break from historic tradition as he took presidential oath

Home> News> US News

Published 12:12 22 Jan 2025 GMT

Donald Trump made huge break from historic tradition as he took presidential oath

Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States

Tom Earnshaw

Tom Earnshaw

Donald Trump broke from a major historic tradition when he was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.

The former reality television star, now 78, moved back in to the White House this week after his official presidential inauguration in Washington DC.

Taking place indoors for the first time since Ronald Reagan's inauguration back in 1985, those present included close family such as wife Melania and youngest son, Barron.

Advert

There was also a range of famous names and faces at the ceremony inside the United States Capitol Building, including the richest people in the world all lined up in one row of seats.

Trump took the oath inside rather than outside for thousands of people to watch due to bleak weather conditions that have gripped the north east of the USA, with temperatures well below zero degrees Celsius.

Speaking to those present within the Capitol Building, Trump spoke about planting the United States flag on Mars, calling it their 'manifest destiny' (via NPR), as well as 'invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798' to crack down on cartels.

Advert

But it was when he took the presidential oath that tradition was broken many on social media noted the massive change from tradition by the 45th and now 47th POTUS.

The Trumps out in force for Donald's big day (Saul Loeb - Pool/Getty Images)
The Trumps out in force for Donald's big day (Saul Loeb - Pool/Getty Images)

Trump didn't put his hand on the Bible during his oath

John Roberts, chief justice of the Supreme Court, stood before Trump as he readied himself to take the oath of office of the president of the United States.

The purpose of the oath is to reaffirm the president-elect's commitment to protecting the US Constitution and 'faithfully executive' the powers of the presidency.

Advert

Since 1789 with George Washington, almost every president has spoken the oath while placing their hand on a Bible. Washington even kissed his copy of the religious text.

Some - Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama to name a few - have even done it with their hand on top of two Bibles.

In his first inauguration, Trump also used two Bibles - his family bible and the Lincoln bible, according to CBS News.

But for Trump, the 2025 oath again saw two Bibles present during the inauguration - but not being touched by him.

Instead, they were held next to him by wife Melania.

Advert

The Bibles were not touched by Trump (MORRY GASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Bibles were not touched by Trump (MORRY GASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Does Trump not touching the Bible impact his oath?

Taking to social media, many wondered why he let his left arm hang by his side instead of placing it on top of the two Bibles - which is still not clear why.

But many were quick to remind others that there is no requirement to do what Trump didn't do - therefore, it doesn't really have much of an impact and he's still officially the President.

"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States," the Constitution clearly states.

Advert

It also doesn't specify what is needed for a swear-in, too (via The Independent).

Other presidents who didn't take the oath with a Bible in hand were Thomas Jefferson and Calvin Coolidge, so Trump is by no means the only one to do the rare change up.

LADbible Group has previously contacted The White House for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool / Getty Images

Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Viral

Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw

Tom joined LADbible Group in 2024, currently working as SEO Lead across all brands including LADbible, UNILAD, SPORTbible, Tyla, UNILAD Tech, and GAMINGbible. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

X

@TREarnshaw

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Donald Trump asks supporters to donate $15 to 'get him to heaven'
  • Donald Trump says Charlie Kirk suspect is in custody
  • Donald Trump wins 2024 US presidential election
  • Donald Trump reveals plan to ‘quickly’ end the war in Ukraine as he releases ‘letter to the world’

Choose your content:

an hour ago
  • Instagram/oceaniclounge
    an hour ago

    Footage shows terrifying moment yacht is sunk by a pod of orcas

    The killer whales could be seen ramming the sailboat in Portugal multiple times

    News
  • YouTube/drsethi
    an hour ago

    Doctor explains reality of what happens if you eat common superfood found in every supermarket

    That's going straight in my basket

    News
  • Noam Galai/Getty Images for Hearst Magazines
    an hour ago

    Chrissy Teigen explained 'almost torturous' experience she had taking Ozempic

    It's the first time the model has spoken out about using Ozempic

    News
  • X/@NarodniArchivCZ
    an hour ago

    Mysterious time capsule envelope set to be unsealed tomorrow could contain major world predictions

    An envelope which has been passed around for decades and contains a world leader's last words will finally be opened

    News