US President Donald Trump took part in 2 chronicles 7 11–22 on Tuesday night during a weeklong Bible-reading event in Washington, a public moment that came amid his rift with Pope Leo XIV and criticism over an AI image that appeared to portray him as Jesus-like. The reading was part of the “America Reads the Bible” event at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, with Trump’s passage recorded earlier in the White House’s Oval Office. The section he read calls for humility, prayer, repentance and a promise of healing for the land.
Trump reads 2 Chronicles 7 11–22 in Oval Office recording
The president’s segment was taped in the Oval Office and edited from two cameras, then included in the Washington event. The passage from 2 chronicles 7 11–22 includes the line: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ”
The reading was part of a continuous Bible marathon that began on 18 April and is timed to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence. The organizers say the event is meant to encourage a return to the spiritual foundation they say shaped the country. Other participants include public figures from the administration and conservative circles, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Reaction from organizers and religious allies
Bunni Pounds, founder of Christians Engaged, said the scripture choice matters because it speaks to wisdom, discernment, healing for families, and relief for communities. “We’re making a statement during this week as America reads the Bible, that there is so much in the Bible that we can gain wisdom and discernment from, there is so much that can heal our families, that can rescue us from depression and anxiety and can heal our inner cities and heal our land… I believe the president’s saying that by reading this scripture specifically, ” Pounds said.
The event sits inside a larger debate over faith, public power and the role of Christianity in US civic life. The Constitution bars the government from establishing a national religion, but the Trump administration has embraced a movement that sees Christianity as central to the nation’s founding and to leadership in office.
Context around the pope dispute and AI image criticism
Trump’s appearance came days after renewed tension with Pope Leo XIV, who criticized the US for waging war on Iran. Trump said he has “a right to disagree with the Pope, ” after the pontiff warned against those who “manipulate religion” for military, economic and political gain.
The reading also followed criticism from some religious supporters over an AI-generated image that appeared to show Trump as a Jesus-like figure healing the sick. Trump later took down the post and said he thought it was meant to show him as a doctor, then posted another AI image showing Jesus embracing him.
With the Bible-reading marathon still underway in Washington, attention now turns to who else will appear and how the White House-aligned participation in 2 chronicles 7 11–22 will be received by religious conservatives, critics of the administration and Catholics following the pope dispute. The next phase of the event is expected to keep the spotlight on the administration’s faith messaging and the political meaning attached to 2 chronicles 7 11–22.
