Gift scandal: Biden family received tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewellery from foreign leaders in 2023

Jill and Joe Biden Photo: Chris Kleponis / Global Look Press

In 2023, US President Joe Biden and his family received luxury gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars from foreign leaders, according to an annual report released by the US State Department. The most expensive gift went to First Lady Jill Biden – a 20,000-carat diamond from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ABC News reports.

This 7.5-carat diamond was the most expensive gift received by a member of the presidential family last year. Other gifts to the First Lady include a brooch worth $14,063 from the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States and a set of a bracelet, brooch and photo album from the President and First Lady of Egypt worth $4,510.

President Joe Biden himself also received a number of valuable gifts. These include a $7,100 commemorative photo album from former South Korean President Yun Seok-il, a $3,495 statuette of Mongolian soldiers from the Prime Minister of Mongolia, a $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei, a $3,160 silver tray from the President of Israel, and a $2,400 collage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The law and the use of gifts

According to US federal law, executive branch officials are required to declare gifts from foreign leaders and partners if their value exceeds $480. The most expensive gifts are usually donated to the National Archives or used for official purposes.

According to a State Department document, a diamond worth $20,000 was left for official use in the East Wing of the White House. Other gifts from the president and first lady were transferred to the archive. The law also allows recipients to buy back gifts at their market value, although such cases are rare, especially when it comes to high-value items.

Secret gifts and destruction

The report also states that several CIA employees received luxury gifts, including watches, perfumes and jewellery, most of which were destroyed. The total value of these destroyed gifts exceeded $132,000.

CIA Director William Burns received an astrophotographic instrument worth $18,000, which was transferred to the General Services Administration. However, he also reported the destruction of an $11,000 Omega watch. Other employees also lost similarly expensive watches.

The publication of this report has already sparked a lively discussion in American society. Can such a luxurious tradition affect the image of the Biden administration? The question remains open.