I never cease to be amazed by the lucidity of the vanguard of revolutionaries who, in the 18th century, starting from scratch, founded and built the United States. They were the first and to this day the only ones to achieve effective integration and, instead of 13 colonies, founded one and foresaw almost everything that could be foreseen, including despotism, dictatorship, and corruption.
By the way, when becoming president, Donald Trump, a Ripley’s-like character who frequently challenges the limits of what power can allow, he is constantly called to order by judges, officials and Congress. This is now the case with the Qatari plane.
Although the Constitution unequivocally establishes that “no person holding any employment, whether of remuneration or honor, under the United States, shall accept any present, emolument, office, or title, whatever its kind…,” Donald Trump finds it stupid to refuse the gift of a $400 million airplane.
Although both private citizens and governments or official entities are aware of this rule, or are informed of it as part of the protocol, it is impossible to prevent such gestures. Therefore, regulations have been created regarding the matter, although all insist on the prohibition or establish the obligation to return gifts received by reason of their positions or as part of official activities.
On the occasion of Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East, the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has renewed his offer to gift the president a Boeing 747 airplane, valued at approximately $400 million, which the president has decided to accept.
Although presidents and first ladies, as well as other United States officials, frequently receive gifts and sometimes awards that include money during their duties, trips abroad, anniversaries, or other occasions, I have never seen one of such a value.
The unusual nature of the gift and the value of the object are generating controversy, fueling the showmanship, and enriching the eccentricity of Trump and his administration.
When in 1839 the Sultan of Morocco gave U.S. President Martin Van Buren two ferocious lions, and the Sultan of Oman gave him a valuable Arabian horse and other valuable jewelry, the executive asked Congress to dispose of the objects. Eventually, the lions were sent to a zoo, the horse was sold, and the pearls enriched the Smithsonian’s collection.
A notorious case occurred in 1945, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited King Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia for an exchange of gifts.
Both statesmen, one a monarch and the other a Democrat, shared difficulties walking due to the American’s disability and the Saudi’s weak legs. Moved, Roosevelt gave him one of his wheelchairs. The grateful king called the artifact “My most precious possession.”
In addition to the humble wheelchair, the president gave the Saudi king a fabulous Douglas DC-3 passenger plane, the most advanced in its time and of such quality and elegance that, 90 years after its debut, it is still in service in some countries. That aircraft was equipped with a “revolving throne” so that, when flying, the monarch always faced Mecca.
The debate then was not about the gifts received, but about the gifts given, because there are still doubts about whether a U.S. president can afford such an extravagance and whether it violated the Constitution.
On the occasion of Nixon’s visit to China in 1972, he was given a pair of giant pandas that were sent to the Washington Zoo, where they even bred.
Although the regulations do not apply to first ladies or other spouses of federal officials, sometimes, given their value, some have attracted attention. Nancy Reagan was mentioned for wearing at official events expensive dresses and jewelry received as gifts. Other presidential couples, upon leaving the White House, have returned some gifts or paid for them.
Although, with proper authorization, presidents who have received Nobel Prizes could keep them, they have generally used the money obtained for social or charitable purposes.
The fact that President Trump maintains commercial properties bearing his name, such as casinos and hotels, has generated comments and even litigation, due to foreign officials, on official business, who have paid to stay there, leading to speculation that the president obtained financial benefits from the operation.
Furthermore, although it is claimed to cost around $400 million, it is a secondhand plane that has been used for 13 years by the Qatari monarchy as a private aircraft.
In any case, it is necessary to be cautious. There are still countries where presidents do not have an official residence, high-ranking officials are not required to declare their assets upon assuming high office, and there are not even public bidding processes for multimillion-dollar acquisitions and investments with public funds. See you there. ________________________________________
*This text was originally published in the newspaper ¡Por esto! It is reproduced with the express permission of its author.21
