The U.S. State Department’s latest disclosure reveals that foreign governments presented exceptionally valuable gifts to senior Biden administration officials during the 2024 calendar year. According to the Bureau of Protocol’s annual report published in the Federal Register, these diplomatic offerings included luxury items ranging from fine jewelry to substantial cash gifts.
Former President Joe Biden received the most expensive documented gift: a $19,000 acrylic painting titled ‘Marimba’ by renowned Angolan artist Guizef Guilherme, bestowed by Angola’s president. Other notable presents to Biden included a sterling silver train set valued at $7,750 from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a road bicycle with dates worth $7,089 from the United Arab Emirates’ president.
First Lady Jill Biden received particularly valuable items, including an 18-carat gold diamond necklace and premium perfume worth $11,165 collectively from Qatar’s emir and his spouse. She also accepted a Dior bracelet and Sèvres vase valued at $5,090 from French President Emmanuel Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron.
The report detailed that former Vice President Kamala Harris received various gifts including a rug, cooking utensils, and literature worth $2,633 from UAE officials. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was presented with a $3,700 bronze statue from his Indian counterpart, while CIA Director William Burns received a $3,000 horse saddle from Kazakh officials.
Most remarkably, an unnamed CIA employee reported receiving $15,000 in cash from a foreign government representative. According to established protocol, federal regulations require officials to report foreign gifts exceeding $480 in value. Most items are subsequently transferred to the National Archives or General Services Administration rather than retained personally, unless recipients reimburse the Treasury Department or utilize them for official governmental purposes.