Trump Gives Ex-Japanese PM “Key To The White House”

The Washington Post reports:

Trump’s sense of ownership of the building extended even to a souvenir he had created: a “key to the White House.” In his book “Breaking History,” Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner described the tchotchke.

“When Trump met with Netanyahu, he whipped out his signature gift — an oversize bronze ‘key to the White House’ in a wooden box carved with the presidential seal. Trump had designed the key himself to give to special guests. ‘This is the first key I’m giving to anyone,’ he said. ‘Even when I’m not president anymore, you can walk up to the front gate of the White House and present it, and they will let you in.’

Kushner writes that he “tried to keep from laughing” at the presentation. Understandably. It is not the case that presidents can simply grant other people lifetime access to the White House.

Read the full article. After Trump’s criminal trial ended for the day, yesterday former Japan’s prime minister visited Trump at Trump Tower, where he was presented with one of the fake keys, another of which recently sold at auction for $3670. Gift link to the WaPo piece here.

Why is Trump giving someone a ‘key to the White House’? https://t.co/jGBa6yxk7F

— Post Politics (@postpolitics) April 24, 2024

Donald Trump welcomes Japan’s former Prime Minister Taro Aso to Trump Tower, and presents him with what appears to be a “key” to the White House. Not sure what gives him the right to do this. Probably Citizen Trump once again pretending to be President. pic.twitter.com/v8Oc24TvEZ

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) April 24, 2024