While surveying the tornado damage in Alabama on Friday, President Trump signed Bibles at this Baptist church:

President Trump is signing bibles for volunteers and survivors at a Baptist church in Alabama. pic.twitter.com/9b8VfyZiKF — Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) March 8, 2019

And somehow this is controversial. Here’s ABC’s Matthew Dowd criticizing the president and the people who asked for him to sign the Bible:

I don’t know who it is a worse commentary on: Trump actually signing Bibles in Alabama, or the people asking him to sign a Bible. Lordy Moses. — Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) March 8, 2019

Here’s what it looked like:

President Trump signed Bibles today while visiting Beauregard, Alabama —a community devastated by two deadly tornadoes. pic.twitter.com/dueCFABJMh — Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) March 8, 2019

Media reports say the president was greeted with applause when he signed the Bible of a 12-year-old boy:

The president signed several hats and Bibles, including one for a 12-year-old boy, an action which drew applause from people who came to see Trump. Trump signs Bibles as he tours tornado damage https://t.co/VJ9tfPXAV5 pic.twitter.com/1KBrHb0oom — AL.com (@aldotcom) March 8, 2019

The Washington Post called it a “hero’s welcome”:

"He signed his Bible!": Trump gets hero’s welcome and offers autographs in tornado-ravaged Alabama, by @jdawseyhttps://t.co/jXl6wXPD9L — David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) March 8, 2019

Keep in mind, we’re talking about “at least two Bibles,” not like a hundred Bibles or something. From the Post:

Inside a Baptist church, the president autographed at least two Bibles for an adoring horde of volunteers, who were packed eight-deep around tables of recovery supplies. Thousands waved and cheered along the roadways, some paved and some not, with nary a protester in sight. Crowds greeted him in a wrecked neighborhood with MAGA (Make America Great Again) signs, Trump chants and a mannequin decorated with Trump merchandise outside a crushed home.

And as Michelle Malkin helpfully points out, this isn’t anything new:

1) Truman's signed note in an admirer's Book of Psalms https://t.co/XoWv9LHJ9T

2-3) Autographs of Clintons, Gore, Carters, Mondale in bible of collector Stephen Koschal https://t.co/LieTXZHftk

4) Heads exploding over Trump signing Bibles for Alabama tornado survivors pic.twitter.com/mWWMUS4ELM — Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) March 9, 2019

But to the blue check? It was just another chance to mock the president:

He signed bibles with the same hand he used — as President — to sign hush money checks to an adult film star. https://t.co/ecQH8ooJaf — Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) March 8, 2019

Donald Trump signing The Bible is like Mike Pence signing The Vagina Monologues. — Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) March 8, 2019

Isn't Trump signing the Bible like God signing 'Art of the Deal'? — David Lazarus (@Davidlaz) March 8, 2019

People don't understand the purpose of Trump signing bibles. Many people are without a way to prepare food after a disaster. When Trump signs a bible, it bursts into flame and people can cook over it. https://t.co/k8fkKyzZQB — Bill Prady (@billprady) March 8, 2019

In Trump’s defense, he wrote as much of the Bible as “Art of The Deal” https://t.co/BsR6pTkaxK — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 8, 2019

I remember in college joking about auctioning off an autographed copy of the Bible. Cut to 2019: And here’s legendary holy man, Don Trump autographing Bibles as if he were the author. https://t.co/9wwJeuykp7 — Bryan Behar (@bryanbehar) March 8, 2019

The Bible by Donald J. Trump (and Amos, Daniel, David, Ezekiel, Ezra, Habakkuk, Haggal, Hosea, Isaiah, Moses, James, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew & more) — Dave Jorgenson ??‍? (@davejorgenson) March 8, 2019

every time Trump signs a bible, an angel loses its wings mid-flight and crashes painfully to earth https://t.co/STB0qZB4Q6 — Johnny McNulty (@JohnnyMcNulty) March 8, 2019

Guys, take one day off, ‘eh?

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