Donald Trump Receives Historic Ancient Korean Crown Gift from South Korea

President Donald Trump, known for his affinity for gold and flattery, has received a variety of diplomatic gifts that reflect the strategic efforts of foreign leaders to strengthen ties and demonstrate respect. During his second term, leaders like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented him with personalized gifts such as a gold-plated pager and a World Boxing Championship belt, symbolizing goodwill and hopes for favorable agreements. In a notably symbolic gesture, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung gifted Trump a replica of an ancient, gold crown from the Silla period, as well as the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, South Korea's highest civil honor, making Trump the first US president to receive it. This crown gift sparked controversy and social media speculation that it was a subtle critique or mockery, especially amid recent domestic protests against Trump’s perceived authoritarian tendencies. Trump embraced the crown and the honor, even joking about wearing the crown immediately, underscoring the blend of diplomacy, symbolism, and personality in these exchanges. US ethics laws require such gifts to be transferred to the General Services Administration or purchased by the president, with some scrutiny regarding Trump’s prior gift disclosures.