Keir Starmer Retains Gift From Donald Trump, Declares Its value for Charity Auction
LONDON – labour leader Keir Starmer has confirmed he kept a gift received from Donald Trump - a silver necklace – and intends to auction it off for charity, following scrutiny of Trump’s lavish gifts to political figures, including a reported $400 million Boeing 747 offered to serve as a new Air Force One.
The revelation comes amid growing controversy surrounding gifts received by trump and questions about potential conflicts of interest.While Starmer’s acceptance of the necklace initially drew criticism, his decision to donate the proceeds to a charitable cause aims to mitigate concerns.
Trump’s history of gift-giving has been marked by both extravagance and accusations of deception. Actor Charlie Sheen recounted in 2016 on The Graham Norton show receiving what Trump presented as platinum diamond cufflinks from Harry Winston as a wedding gift. Though, an appraisal later revealed them to be “cheap pewter and bad zirconias” stamped with “Trump.” Sheen stated the appraiser “kind of recoiled from it – much like people do from trump.”
The reported $400 million Boeing 747 offered by qatar has sparked significant backlash in the US, raising questions about foreign influence and the appropriate use of state resources. starmer’s handling of the silver necklace gift offers a contrasting approach, prioritizing charitable contribution over personal retention. Details regarding the auction and the chosen charity are expected to be announced shortly.
