Trump’s 80th birthday: Can the US president keep expensive gifts from world leaders? U.S. legal interpretation
as president Donald Trump ready to celebrate his 80th birthday A little-known U.S. law came into focus on June 14 that limits whether sitting presidents can personally keep expensive gifts from foreign leaders.
Federal ethics regulations under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act consider high-value gifts to the president of the United States to be gifts to the U.S. government, rather than to individual officials, Mirror America reports.
Under the rules, the president can temporarily accept diplomatic gifts, but if the item exceeds the government’s “minimum value” threshold, the gift must be turned over to the government or purchased personally at fair market value.
The outlet cited guidance from the Office of Government Ethics that currently sets the threshold at $480.
The law reportedly applies regardless of whether the gift is related to a state visit, diplomatic exchange, gala event or even birthday celebration.
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Trump received multiple gifts during his second term
Since returning to office, Trump has received a number of notable gifts from foreign leaders, many of which have symbolic political significance.
According to CNN tracking reports, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu During a visit to the White House earlier this year, Trump gave away a gold-plated pager. The gift reportedly referred to Israel’s controversial 2025 Operation Pager targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Reports at the time suggested that Trump felt uncomfortable with the situation.
Ukrainian President Zelensky also reportedly presented Trump with a world boxing championship belt won by Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly sent Trump a portrait of him shortly after the 2025 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. The artwork was reportedly delivered through US envoy Steve Witkopf.
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According to reports, if any of these gifts exceed legal value limits and Trump wishes to keep them personally, he will be required to repay the government their assessed market value.
What is the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act?
The Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act was enacted to prevent foreign governments from improperly influencing U.S. officials through expensive gifts or favors.
The law applies to the president, federal employees, diplomats and military personnel. Items that exceed the allowable value threshold are generally transferred to the General Services Administration, National Archives, Presidential Library, or other official repository unless purchased by the recipient.
Value thresholds are updated regularly to account for inflation.
Trump’s landmark birthday also coincides with preparations for a major UFC-themed event planned by the White House as part of celebrations tied to the upcoming U.S. 250th anniversary.
