Musician Lee Greenwood is best known as the author of the song "God Bless the USA." But he's now making another name for himself: Bible salesman.
During a President's Day television appearance to honor America’s 250th birthday, Greenwood's bold sales pitch for his "God Bless the USA" Bible touched a nerve – and sparked widespread criticism.
In the closing moments of the interview, Greenwood pulled out a Bible in what appeared to be a last-second sales pitch:
"I wanted to make sure you understand that I have this Bible,” Greenwood interjected, Bible aloft, as the hosts were in the process of ending the interview. “This is God Bless the U.S.A. Bible, talking about my song, and this is something that everyone needs in their home. GodblessUSAbible.com, you can get one of these for Easter. Give it as a gift. I have one for all of you."
Greenwood’s brief Bible sales pitch has ignited a wave of controversy across the internet, as critics quickly began circulating the footage and drawing comparisons to Jesus flipping the tables of the moneychangers.
Is pitching the Bible on TV blasphemous, or simply savvy marketing?
A Brief History of the ‘Trump Bible’
Controversy over this particular version of the Bible extends back a few years. Greenwood began selling his "God Bless the USA" Bible back in 2021 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
The Bible features the United States flag on its cover, as well as numerous foundational documents – the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and more – within its pages.
The book made headlines in 2024 when (then-former) President Trump promoted a new edition during his presidential campaign, colloquially called the "Trump Bible", priced at $60. According to financial disclosures, Trump made at least $1.3 million in royalties from putting his name on the holy text of Christianity – a figure that only intensified debate over faith and profit.
Later that year, this adapted version of the Bible again sparked controversy when then-Oklahoma education head Ryan Walters sought $6 million in taxpayer dollars to place the ‘Trump Bible’ in classrooms across the state – a proposal that sparked fierce backlash over church-state boundaries.
The Holy Sales Pitch
As video of Greenwood’s on-air plug went viral, critics made their feelings known. “Changing the word of God into money in their pockets,” stated one X user.
Others drew direct comparisons to a famous Bible passage:
Yet as accusations of “grifter” and “false prophet” flew, not everyone was convinced Greenwood’s sales pitch was so bad.
“On one hand yes selling ‘branded’ Bibles is distasteful,” wrote one commenter. “On the other hand, if just one person encounters the Word of God as a result, then the effect is good.”
And that’s where the debate sharpens. Defenders argue that Greenwood is bringing his faith directly to an audience – something the Bible explicitly calls Christians to do. If someone willingly spends $60 on a themed Bible that includes patriotic documents, is that fundamentally different from buying a simpler study Bible?
But others point out that Jesus Himself drove the money changers out of the temple, a clear rebuke against the commercialization of faith and the financial exploitation of believers. Critics argue that wrapping scripture in political branding and hefty price tags (then doing a Billy Mays impression on TV) risks diluting Jesus’ message.
So what do you think? When faith and capitalism collide – on live television, no less – where should the line be drawn?
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