Footage from the event shows much of the church, including the former presidents seated with Trump, standing to recite the profession of faith.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump stood, but did not recite the prayer, which was written in the program, nor did they sing the hymns.
Given Trump’s widespread support among evangelical Christians, that led to plenty of criticism on social media:
Hey @Franklin_Graham here’s your “evangelical president” NOT reciting the Apostles’ Creed at the funeral of your father’s friend. Maybe he thinks it’s the name of the next movie with Stallone and Michael B. Jordan. https://t.co/S1XeqCkgl4— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) December 6, 2018
I assume the President was looking for those two Corinthians during the Apostles Creed.— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) December 5, 2018
It’s SO weird that Barack Obama (the “Muslim”) knew all the words to the Apostles’ Creed, and Donald Trump (the Evangelical hero) didn’t know any of them, and didn’t even bother to read them. #GeorgeHWBushFuneral— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) December 5, 2018
This is a strange moment. It’s not about Trump not having memorized the creed, which is printed in the program. He’s opting not to participate in the service. https://t.co/SHPj9I01TD— Ruth Graham (@publicroad) December 5, 2018
The man that Trump spent years calling a Kenyan born Muslim recited the Apostle’s Creed and Lord’s Prayer but Trump and his third, Slovenian born wife did not.— Auntie Mame (@SidecarStrega) December 5, 2018
Curious moment here as all of the former Presidents and First Ladies read and recite the Apostles’ Creed - President Trump & the current First Lady do not. #GeorgeHWBushFuneralpic.twitter.com/fTqNkS4fDe— Vladimir Duthiers (@vladduthiersCBS) December 5, 2018
The man wouldn’t know the Apostles Creed from Apollo Creed.— Mediumjh (@mediumjh) December 5, 2018
And Evangelicals think God put him in office? I’m surprised he was able to cross the threshold without bursting into flames. https://t.co/OaNsdnq0zd— Nell Lamb (@lamb_nell) December 6, 2018
Are you telling me the so-called “Muslim” president knew all the words to the Apostles’ Creed, but the ‘Christian Conservative’ President, did not?https://t.co/4RJCjomBSA— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) December 5, 2018
Trump spent much of the service scowling, with his arms crossed, not participating in the recitation of prayers or the singing of hymns.@robertjeffress and other evangelicals must have found that most refreshing. Trump’s so mature and manly, isn’t he? So respectful. https://t.co/19MQGwHTRg— MikeBates (@MikeBates) December 5, 2018
Nor did the current evangelical savior (or nude model gold digger) feel it was necessary to recite the Apostles Creed...how very Christian of them pic.twitter.com/fCVbkxNCH9— Resistant (@b_resistant) December 6, 2018
The Trumps aren’t reading along with the Apostles’ Creed. It’s right there on the program.— Laura Seay (@texasinafrica) December 5, 2018
This is the quietest Trump has ever been! He isn’t even singing the hymns neither is Mel— Ruby Singh 🇬🇧🇪🇺#FBPE (@rubyksingh) December 5, 2018
Hard to read the word of God when you’ve made a deal with the Devil.— Todd Garcia (@Toddawatomi) December 5, 2018
You are not supposed to pray like the fake Christian Catholics do.
That wasn't a prayer.
Matthew 6:5-8 King James Version (KJV) 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
