Obama Out: 3 Things the First Family Can (Legally) Swipe From the White House
Michael Reynolds/Pool via Bloomberg
On Friday, the new president, Donald Trump, will move into the White House. But equally monumental is the fact that Barack Obama will move out. He and his family will no doubt take with them many fond memories of living in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., from sliding down the banisters (mostly the kids) to being staff-pranked by images of creepy snowmen (a strange phobia of the 44th prez). But recollections might not be all they take with them when the moving vans pull up to America’s most famous home.
Watch: How to Move 2 Presidents in Just 6 Hours
After all, first families are constantly showered with jaw-dropping gifts from foreign diplomats, celebs, and others eager to curry favor. Michelle Obama received two sets of jewelry from the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, valued at $1.1 million. A bit less impressive, the Clintons were given boxing gloves by Sylvester Stallone. And the president of Indonesia gave George H.W. Bush a live Komodo dragon!
Are these presents theirs to cart to their next dwelling, or do former commanders in chief have to forfeit all of this swag once their time in office is up?
Well, it turns out these gifts aren’t technically theirs—unless they choose to take an unusual step.
The White House rules on swag
“As gifts are received, they go to the National Archive to be logged in and have their value established,” explains former U.S. diplomat Michael Montgomery. “Everything above $375—and the vast majority of things are below that limit—stays at the National Archive.”
Live gifts like Bush’s dragon are placed in the care of appropriate families or zoos. (You can see the lists of gifts received on the U.S. Department of State’s website.)
These presents are considered property of the United States, Montgomery says, and any gift the first family wants to keep must be purchased from the government at fair market value.
So if Michelle wants to don those million-dollar diamonds, Barack will have to reach deep into his pockets. Time to crank out that next autobiography!
Some former presidents and Cabinet members have indeed coughed up the funds to keep their favorites. George W. Bush purchased a $14,000 shotgun and bike gear totaling $532. After stepping down as secretary of state in 2012, Hillary Clinton purchased a $970 black pearl necklace given to her by the state counselor of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi.
However, outgoing presidents are not allowed to purchase or take items that are given to the White House rather than themselves as individuals. It’s a rule that landed the Clintons in hot water over two sofas, an easy chair, and an ottoman from furniture company Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman. The Clintons assumed these were personal gifts, but muddled paperwork suggested otherwise. So, back the furniture went.
What will the Obamas keep?
The Obama family has received thousands of gifts since moving into the White House in 2008; they have ranged in value from that million-dollar jewelry set to a decidedly less valuable framed picture of Prince Harry. So which are the ones President Obama is most likely to shell out for? Here are our expert-vetted bets:
Lifetime passes to Wrigley Field
“The lifetime Cubs passes would be intriguing to him,” says Montgomery. Although he’s a devoted White Sox fan, Obama still has a soft spot for any sports team from his adopted hometown of Chicago—especially the newly crowned world champions. Indeed, the president seemed genuinely excited when he received this gift this week from baseball’s reigning kings. Although the Obamas will be staying in DC for the near future, it will give them a good excuse to visit Chicago.
7 boxes of Cuban cigars
Obama quit smoking years ago, but such a fancy gift—with so much historical significance for the president who reshaped the United States’ relationship with Cuba—seems like it would be worth holding on to.
“He might want to keep the cigars … as long as he’s not caught by Michelle,” says Montgomery. The smokes were an official gift from the Cuban government. “Seven boxes of Cubans would certainly be above the $375 value limit—$4,158, in fact—and so he would have to pay for them.” That’s money well-spent!
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Kenyan art
Of the more personal gifts Obama has received, it would make sense for him to hold on to those that speak to his Kenyan heritage. The president of Kenya gave Obama several pieces of art, including a miniature elephant statue, an oil painting of the African plain, and hand-sketched portraits of his family.
Collins Okello
While Montgomery doesn’t foresee these going to Obama’s new DC digs, he thinks they’ll be kept in a place where the family can easily visit them.
“My guess would be the Kenyan gifts will ultimately go to Obama’s planned presidential library in Chicago,” he says. The library should be completed in 2020.
While some might think it’s weird that an outgoing president should have to pay for something that was handed to him as a gift, nothing in life is free, right? And after eight grueling years running the country, whatever Obama takes, we’d say he’s earned it.
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