On Thursday, the State Department has unveiled a striking catalog of high-value gifts bestowed upon former President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris during the final full year of their administration.

The State Department, through its Office of the Chief of Protocol, released a detailed list in a Federal Register filing compiled under the Trump administration, covering Fiscal Year 2024. This annual disclosure highlights the most expensive items, valued at $480 or more, given to the president, White House officials, and senior federal figures. The report offers a unique window into the last year of the Biden administration’s tenure, with gifts ranging from fine art to intricate sculptures.

The list includes notable recipients such as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and members of Biden’s Cabinet, like former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Many of these items, including those given to the Bidens, have been transferred to the National Archives for safekeeping rather than retained by the recipients.

Expensive Gifts Highlight Diplomatic Ties

While the gesture of gift-giving in diplomacy is a longstanding tradition, the sheer value of some of these items raises eyebrows about the optics during a time of economic strain for many Americans.

Take, for instance, the priciest item on the list—a $19,000 painting titled “Marimba,” presented to President Biden by Angola’s president in the waning weeks of his term. That’s a hefty sum for a piece of art, now tucked away in the National Archives, far from public view or practical use. Couldn’t such resources be directed elsewhere?

Newsweek also reports of a $7,750 sterling silver train set from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also archived, alongside a $7,089 road bike and crates of dates from the UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Interestingly, the Secret Service disposed of the dates—perhaps a wise call given security protocols. But it begs the question: what’s the point of such lavish offerings if they can’t even be enjoyed?

Jill Biden’s Luxe Gifts Spark Curiosity

First Lady Jill Biden wasn’t left out, receiving an 18-carat gold necklace with diamonds and a bottle of Ormonde Jayne perfume from the emir of Qatar and his spouse, valued at a cool $11,165. While some jewelry items were purchased by her husband to keep, the extravagance of such gifts feels disconnected from the everyday struggles of families grappling with inflation.

Vice President Kamala Harris received more modest items—books, a clock, ceramics, and a painting, none exceeding $2,700 in value. All were handed over to the National Archives, which seems prudent, though it shows how these tokens of goodwill often serve little personal purpose for recipients.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s haul included two sets of cufflinks, a tie holder, and a large Kente blanket, a cultural nod that stands out among the more utilitarian or decorative gifts listed. Still, one wonders if such items truly strengthen diplomatic bonds or merely add to a growing archive of forgotten treasures.

Cabinet Members Also Receive Tokens

Biden’s Cabinet didn’t escape the gift-giving parade, with former Secretary of State Antony Blinken receiving cufflinks and a gold coin, while former CIA Director William Burns got artwork. Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s collection included statues, binoculars, and a fountain pen—items that, while thoughtful, seem more ceremonial than essential.

Looking at specifics for Biden himself, additional archived gifts include a sculpture from a Notre Dame fragment, a decorative tea set, and $3,300 in photographs and artwork from the Czech Republic’s prime minister. There’s also $3,000 worth of items from France’s President Emmanuel Macron and a $3,300 sculpture of a winged woman from Iraq’s prime minister—beautiful, no doubt, but ultimately out of reach for the public to appreciate.

Here’s where it gets tricky: these gifts, while symbols of international camaraderie, often feel like a disconnect from the grounded values many Americans hold dear. Why celebrate opulence when so many are tightening their belts?

Questioning the Value of Diplomatic Gifts

The annual disclosure by the State Department is a necessary exercise in transparency, ensuring that no undue influence is perceived through these exchanges.

Yet, it also highlights a system where extravagance can overshadow substance, leaving taxpayers to wonder if diplomacy couldn’t be conducted with a bit more frugality.

At the end of the day, while these gifts are often archived or disposed of, their initial acceptance paints a picture of excess that doesn’t always align with the pressing needs of the nation. It’s a reminder that symbolism in politics can sometimes carry a price tag—both literal and figurative—that’s hard to justify.