The next time members at Trump International see the club owner playing a round of golf, they might want to check out his clubs.
And then they might want to call the federal government.
According to a new report from House Democrats, federal officials cannot find two gifts received by Donald Trump and his family from foreign nations when Trump was president. Included are golf clubs worth more than $7,000 given to Trump by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The Washington Post first reported the story.
While more than 100 gifts worth nearly $300,000 were not properly reported by Trump and his family to the State Department in violation of federal law, the golf clubs and a life-size painting of Trump from the president of El Salvador remain outstanding.
Abe presented newly-elected Trump with gold-plated golf clubs during a visit to Manhattan in November 2016. Trump played golf with Abe in Japan in 2019.
Abe was assassinated July 8, 2022, while speaking at a political event in Japan.
Trump repeatedly told advisers that gifts given to him during the presidency were his and did not belong to the federal government.
Typically, the White House Gifts Unit records all domestic and foreign gifts and their value received by the president and his family. If someone wants to retain a gift, they have the option of paying full value, as outlined under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act. The 1966 law prohibits officials from personally keeping gifts from foreign entities worth more than $415.
Golf is one of Trump’s passions. As president he played frequently, mostly at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump hosted two LIV Golf events at his properties last year, including the Saudi-backed league’s season-finale at Doral. Both times he played in the pro-am.
Three LIV events this year will be at Trump properties, including Doral Oct. 20-22, 2023.