Culture and kitsch for a President
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Iraq may be going to hell in a handcart, and George Bush's approval ratings likewise. But there are consolations. A US president is bombarded with presents from other leaders.
In 2005, they ranged from a royal-designed, off-road motorbike, to golfing kit and tango CDs from the President of Argentina. Other gifts include six Marinella silk ties and gold Omega watch worth $4,000 (£2,130) from the former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, and a $940 Hermes wool blanket, courtesy of President Jacques Chirac.
The Prince of Wales presented Mr Bush with a four-volume collection of essays by Winston Churchill, "embossed in gold with Prince of Wales plumes"( $1,832 or £980). The off-road motorbike ($4,500 and "developed by the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau") was a gift from the Jordanian monarch.
Alas, by law, any gift worth more than $305 goes into government "courtesy storage". They will eventually go on show in Mr Bush's Presidential Library.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments