The Biden family and top US officials were showered with extravagant gifts from foreign leaders in 2023, according to the State Department’s annual accounting.
The disclosures include high-value items such as a $20,000 diamond gifted to First Lady Jill Biden and luxurious timepieces destroyed by CIA officials.
Glittering Gifts to the First Family
The 7.5-carat diamond, presented to Jill Biden by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was the most expensive gift received by any member of the first family. Alongside this, Jill Biden also accepted a brooch valued at $14,063 from Ukraine’s ambassador to the US and a bracelet, brooch, and photograph album worth $4,510 from Egypt’s president and first lady.
President Joe Biden himself was not overlooked, receiving:
A commemorative photo album worth $7,100 from South Korea’s impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol.
A $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors from Mongolia’s prime minister.
A $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei.
A $3,160 sterling silver tray from Israel’s president.
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A $2,400 collage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Official Use and Archiving
US law mandates that executive branch officials declare foreign gifts exceeding $480 in value. Expensive items are typically transferred to the National Archives or used in official displays. The $20,000 diamond is retained for official use in the White House East Wing, while most other gifts to the Bidens have been archived. Recipients may purchase gifts at market value, though this is rare.
CIA’s Costly and Confidential Gifts
The report also revealed that CIA employees received lavish items, most of which were destroyed. CIA Director William Burns reported receiving an $18,000 astrograph – a telescope and astrological camera – from an undisclosed source, which has been transferred to the General Services Administration. However, Burns also destroyed an $11,000 Omega watch, in line with federal protocols.
In total, CIA officials destroyed gifts worth over $132,000, including luxury watches, perfume, and jewellery.
Transparency and Accountability
The disclosures, published in the Federal Register, underscore the importance of transparency in diplomatic relations. While some gifts, like the $20,000 diamond, highlight the pomp and ceremony of international diplomacy, others emphasise the strict measures in place to ensure accountability for high-ranking officials.
This annual accounting offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of protocol, politics, and the allure of luxury.