Donald Trump inauguration gaffe sees President recite oath without putting his hand on Bible President Donald Trump gaffed in front of millions of people as he took the oath of office without placing his hand on the bible as planned.
Trump did not place his hand on a stack of two Bibles held by first lady Melania Trump during his swearing-in, but instead stood with his left arm down by his side as he raised his right hand for the oath of office.
The new president's inaugural committee announced on Friday he would use the same holy books he used in January 2017, including one Abraham Lincoln put his hand on in 1861, and another given to him by his mother in 1955.
Trump said: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.".
The US constitution does not require a Bible for oath of office, but the tradition began back in 1789 when George Washington borrowed one from a Masonic Lodge in New York City.
