A lavish gold ring encrusted with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies has been presented to the U.S. ambassador to Belgium to give to President Donald Trump.
In this image released Tuesday, June 30, 2026, a ring designed for U.S. President Donald Trump and crafted by Antwerp diamond designer David Gotlib. U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White presents a ring designed for U.S. President Donald Trump and crafted by Antwerp diamond designer David Gotlib, during the America 250 event in Brussels, Sunday, June 28, 2026.
U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, center, listens to a pre-recorded address by U.S. President Donald Trump during the America 250 event in Brussels, Sunday, June 28, 2026. U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, right, and his husband Bryan Eure, left, walk U.S. country music singer Alexis Wilkins onto the stage during the America 250 event in Brussels, Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Colored smoke is lit behind the Cinquantenaire Arch to celebrate during the America 250 event in Brussels, Sunday, June 28, 2026. In this image released Tuesday, June 30, 2026, a ring designed for U.S. President Donald Trump and crafted by Antwerp diamond designer David Gotlib. – Dozens of diamonds spell out two giant letter “T” next to the Stars and Stripes and “1776” and “2026.
” Dozens more frame the numbers 45 and 47 in the shape of Superman’s logo. A diamond-winged eagle carries a ruby shield and clutches an olive branch of emeralds, below a radiant “250” and atop the phrase “250 YEARS USA” etched in 18-karat gold.
All told, 321 diamonds, 56 sapphires, 13 emeralds and six rubies encrust the watch-sized gold ring presented this week to Bill White, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, to give to“A very special thank you to my friends from Antwerp for the magnificent Freedom 250 ring,” Trump said in a prerecorded video message during an event markingIsidore Mörsel, president of the Antwerp World Diamond Center, or AWDC, gifted the ring on behalf of the centuries-old diamond community in the Belgian port city, aof the precious stones that found itself struggling last year under the weight of Trump’s sweeping trade war.
“May this ring serve as a lasting reminder that true partnership like the finest natural diamonds are formed under pressure, endure the test of time, and shine brightest when built on trust,” Mörsel said. The ring's interior is engraved with the phrase “Crafted in Antwerp for Donald John Trump. ”that Trump ordered converted into a new Air Force One.
But it’s a glitzy window into the role that ostentatious – and almost always gilded — gifts are playing by those seeking to curry favor with the U.S. president. A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter, said Thursday that the ring has not been presented to Trump yet. The gift comes months after Belgium’s diamond industry won the removal of U.S. tariffs on diamond imports.
In September, AWDC said it had “succeeded in securing a zero percent import tariff” on Antwerp’s annual export of more than $2 billion of polished diamonds to the U.S. A spokesperson for the group said on Thursday that the AWDC provided “input” to the European Commission as it negotiated with Trump ondiscretion to accept gifts from domestic and foreign sources and may determine themselves whether a gift was meant for them personally or the nation. The exception is those from foreign governments, which are prohibited by the foreign emoluments clause of the Constitution without congressional assent, though presidents could use personal funds to reimburse the Treasury for the full value of an official gift if they wish to retain them.
Trump’s 2025 disclosure, released this week, revealed a $250,000 gift of a sculpture depicting his triumphal gesture after surviving a 2024 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and tickets to 10 sporting events, including 10 to the upcoming World Cup final in New Jersey from FIFA’s Gianni Infantino, valued at a collective $15,000. Four U.S. ethics experts told The Associated Press that Trump has broken with decades-old custom in the White House to avoid accepting such gifts.
To forge the ring, the AWDC turned to David Gotlib, an Antwerp-based high-end jeweler whose cufflinks can sell for more than 15,000 euros . Neither AWDC nor Gotlib would provide a valuation of the ring, but two independent jewelers told AP they estimated the value between $25,000 and $35,000. Paris- and London-based jewelry consultant Alexander Levinson calculated the cost at $25,928, while David Saad, a third-generation luxury jeweler in Canada, priced the ring between $33,000 and $35,000.
Both said half the cost was in materials, half in labor. After the ring was presented on a star-spangled stage in Brussels, musician Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, sang the U.S. national anthem to more than 8,000 people drinking Budweiser and bourbon from Tennessee and Kentucky.
White said he raised more than $5.5 million for the 250th anniversary event from corporate sponsors like defense industry titans Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, tech firms like Intel, Google and Meta, as well as the European chocolate companies Leonidas and Ferrero. AWDC said it contributed funds, too.
“The media was asking, ‘Why does it have to be so big? ’” White said of the event.
“Because we are the United States of America! ”On Wednesday, White posted a photo online of himself wearing the ring and giving a thumbs-up. The post has since been deleted. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A look at your 4th of July weekend forecast as America celebrates 250th birthdayFamily identifies mom, young daughters shot during domestic dispute, thanks community for supportFernandina Beach Publix reopens after more than a year with upgraded amenitiesFire destroys home of Florida veteran, wife just 1 week after their 60th anniversaryThis country artist is inspiring others while challenging genre stereotypesNew roundabout on Amelia Island Parkway aims to boost safety, cut crashesJacksonville man charged in $214K gold coins theft from FedEx facilitySt. Johns County homebuilder pleads guilty to 45 felony counts in Nocatee fraud caseJSO & FHP net nearly 2 dozen racing-related arrests from car meet-up eventsCity responds to safety concerns after 3 pedestrians killed in 1 week
Please follow us on Google to support usDavid Gotlib Bill White Washington News Alexander Levinson David Saad Alexis Wilkins Kash Patel Business Gianni Infantino World News
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump, Vance to skip Team USA's FIFA World Cup match in SeattlePresident Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance are expected to be absent for Monday's game as Team USA plays against Belgium in Seattle.
Read more »
WIRED's Walking Tour of President Trump’s Renovated Washington, DCWashington, DC looks a little different these days. Since his return to office, President Donald Trump has been physically remaking the city in his image. As the US celebrates its 250th anniversary, visitors might be surprised to find the nation's capital undergoing immense change and, in many places, under scaffolding.
Read more »
President Donald Trump Took a Whopping $10.7 Million Licensing Fee for ‘Melania’ DocAmazon MGM Studios may have lost a lot of money from the ‘Melania’ doc, but President Donald Trump made out like a bandit according to a 2025 financial report.
Read more »
Trump, Vance won't visit Seattle for USA's World Cup matchKing County officials confirmed President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will not attend Monday's World Cup Round of 16 match between the U.S. and Belgium in Seattle.
Read more »