Key facts
- A gold ring valued between $25,000-$35,000 was gifted to President Trump by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).
- The ring features 321 diamonds, 56 sapphires, 13 emeralds, and six rubies.
- The gift was presented months after the Belgian diamond industry successfully lobbied for the removal of U.S. tariffs on diamond imports.
- The AWDC provided input to the European Commission during tariff negotiations with the U.S. in 2025.
- U.S. presidents have discretion to accept gifts, but foreign government gifts typically require congressional assent.
A lavish, diamond-encrusted ring valued between $25,000 and $35,000 was gifted to U.S. President Donald Trump by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) as a thank you for tariff relief.
The ring, designed by Antwerp jeweler David Gotlib, features 321 diamonds, 56 sapphires, 13 emeralds, and six rubies. It is adorned with two giant letter "T"s, the Stars and Stripes, "1776" and "2026," and the numbers "45" and "47" in the style of Superman's logo. A diamond-winged eagle with a ruby shield and emerald olive branch sits atop an "250" inscription and the phrase "250 YEARS USA" etched in 18-karat gold.
AWDC President Isidore Mörsel presented the ring to U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White on June 28, 2026, during an event in Brussels marking America's 250th birthday. Trump acknowledged the gift in a prerecorded video message, calling it the "magnificent Freedom 250 ring."
The gift comes months after the Belgian diamond industry successfully lobbied for the removal of U.S. tariffs on diamond imports. In September 2025, the AWDC announced it had secured a zero percent import tariff on Antwerp's annual export of over $2 billion (€1.7 billion) of polished diamonds to the U.S.
While the ring's value is significant, it pales in comparison to other gifts Trump has received, such as a $400 million plane from Qatar. However, it highlights the role of ostentatious gifts in seeking favor with the U.S. president.
According to a White House official, the ring had not yet been presented to Trump as of Thursday. U.S. presidents have discretion to accept gifts, but gifts from foreign governments typically require congressional assent unless the president reimburses the Treasury. Personal gifts are also supposed to be registered on financial disclosures. Trump's 2025 disclosure included a $250,000 sculpture and tickets to sporting events.
