‘Trump Bible’ being Pushed in Oklahoma Classrooms?

Oklahoma’s Superintendent Ryan Walters isn’t just floating the idea of placing Bibles in classrooms—he’s taking steps to make it a reality.

This week, bids opened for a $3 million contract to supply the state’s Department of Education with 55,000 King James Version Bibles. The contract specifies leather-bound editions that also contain U.S. historical documents, such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

Notably, the only Bibles that meet these requirements are those endorsed by former President Donald Trump, raising concerns about the political motivation behind the bid. The “God Bless the U.S.A. Bible” endorsed by Trump and the “We The People Bible,” endorsed by Donald Trump Jr., have become the front-runners, each costing significantly more than standard Bibles on the market.

Critics argue that this move not only raises questions about the separation of church and state but also limits competition, as the specifications are so narrow that few options exist outside of Trump-affiliated products. Oklahoma’s former Attorney General Drew Edmondson suggested that the request for proposals (RFP) could violate state law, claiming it excludes potential vendors unnecessarily by adding extra requirements unrelated to the Bible’s content.

Meanwhile, less expensive alternatives, such as paperback versions of the King James Bible or even free Bible apps, have been largely overlooked. Walters’ initiative, initially presented as a way to introduce students to the Bible’s role in American history, has drawn criticism for its hefty price tag—estimated at $3.3 million for 55,000 copies—and potential political motives.

Democratic Party leaders and legal experts are now questioning how this aligns with state law and educational standards. Some superintendents, like Bixby’s Rob Miller, are resisting, seeing the Bible’s classroom mandate as both unconstitutional and a diminishment of religious texts.

As Walters pushes forward with his Bible-in-schools agenda, the intersection of religion, politics, and education in Oklahoma is heating up. The question remains: Is this about history, or is it about something more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!