US EditionPast presidents couldn’t keep gifts of lions or horses. How could Trump accept a jet from Qatar?
- President Donald Trump has expressed interest in receiving a $400 million Boeing 747 jumbo jet from Qatar to be used as the presidential aircraft during his administration.
- This proposal follows a long history of U.S. Presidents receiving foreign gifts but raises constitutional questions under the Emoluments Clause requiring Congressional approval.
- Previous U.S. Presidents have either accepted or declined a variety of notable gifts, including Rutherford Hayes receiving a hefty 1,300-pound desk from Queen Victoria in 1880, and Abraham Lincoln courteously refusing a gift of elephants offered by the monarch of Siam in 1862.
- Ethics experts warn that Trump’s acceptance of the jet and undisclosed Saudi gifts, including robes with fake fur, could create conflicts of interest and undermine transparency.
- The jet’s donation to the Defense Department and Trump’s presidential library remains unresolved amid debates over legality and foreign influence, with Qatar denying final decisions and the White House denying impact on policy.
6 Articles
6 Articles
Most lavish gifts to US presidents including £1,000,000 in jewels and pandas
From pandas to 300 pounds of raw lamb, these are some of the gifts given to US presidents over the years (Picture: REUTERS/ Getty/AP) When it comes to the art of diplomatic gift-giving, there is one unspoken rule – keep it symbolic to the nation’s culture and history. A painting here, a commemorative sword there. Nothing too flashy, which could raise eyebrows in Washington. Yet, leave it to Donald Trump to contemplate on breaking that tradition …
Unusual gifts received by US presidents include a gold snuff box, giant pandas, elephant tusks and personalized rugs
The White House may be courting controversy with President Trump's plans to accept a luxury jumbo jet from the Qatari government, worth $400 million, as the potential new Air Force One — but his administration wouldn't be the first to welcome lavish gifts from foreign leaders. The practice goes all the way back to the founding of the country in 1776, with US leaders receiving all manner of exotic and expensive gifts from royalty and heads of gov…
Past presidents turned down lions, horses, jewels - can Trump accept a jet?
When sultans tried to give US President Martin Van Buren lavish gifts, he did what the Constitution requires and asked Congress what to do.Two live lions had been gifted to Van Buren by the Sultan of Morocco at the US consulate in Tangiers in 1839 and the Sultan of Oman tried to give him "horses, pearls and other things of value," delivered by ships in 1840."I deem it my duty to lay the proposition before Congress for such disposition as they ma…
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