President Donald Trump participated in a marathon Bible reading event alongside numerous prominent Christian supporters and senior Republicans, with viewers claiming he "struggled" while reading from a teleprompter.

The US President recited an Old Testament passage on Tuesday evening calling for national repentance in ancient Israel — words that have been invoked for decades by those championing the notion that America has been and should remain a Christian nation.

He delivered the segment from his desk, hands folded atop an open Bible, though his gaze remained fixed directly into the camera, prompting live stream viewers to comment that he was reading from a "teleprompter".

Another critic questioned the president's reading, claiming "Trump recording this days ago"

The footage alternated back and forth between two camera angles.

In a statement marking the occasion, Trump declared that the Bible is "indelibly woven into our national identity and way of life."

The passage he recited has been read aloud over the decades at countless rallies, services and gatherings.

It originates from the seventh chapter of 2 Chronicles, a book found in the Hebrew Old Testament portion of the Bible. The most quoted verse reads: "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."

As the US president recited the passage, one viewer remarked: "Trump is struggling to read."

The occasion follows Trump attracting backlash from his own supporters after sharing a meme in which he appeared to be depicted as Jesus.

Trump subsequently deleted the image from his Truth Social platform, insisting he had been portrayed as a doctor wearing a white robe.

One viewer said: "Trump thinks he can commit blasphemy and post an AI picture of himself as Christ and read a few chapters of the bible and think everything's ok."