WASHINGTION: Officials cannot find two gifts received by former US President Trump and his family from foreign countries including golf clubs and a life-size painting, a new report from House Democrats said on Friday. He received the gifts from Japan’s Prime Minister and president of El Salvador, media reports said.
Washington Post says gifts to Trump from foreign countries are missing
According to media reports, the gifts are among over 100 foreign gifts that former President Trump and his family could not report to the State Department in violation of law. The 15-page report disclosed that Donald Trump family did not reveal dozens of gifts from nations that are not Washington allies or have a complicated ties with the US. That includes sixteen gifts from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), India worth over $17,000, and China. Donald Trump reported zero gifts in the last year of his presidency, report stated, however, the former President reported some of the gifts received in earlier years.
Former chief of staff John F. Kelly had told Washington Post that the former US President repeatedly told his advisers that gifts given to him were his and did not belong to the government. Over 100 gifts identified by a committee are in the custody of the National Archives, even if the gifts had not been reported to the US State Department.
The White House Gifts Unit records all foreign and domestic gifts and their assessment that are received by the US president and his family. If an official wants to retain a gift, he or she has the option of paying full price, as outlined under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act. The 1966 law of the US prohibits officials from keeping gifts from foreign nations or entities worth more than $415.
