Former President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by presenting a ceremonial “key to the White House” to former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. The gesture, made during a meeting at Trump Tower, has left many wondering about its significance, especially considering Trump’s current non-resident status at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The meeting, which occurred on Tuesday evening, saw Trump and Aso posing with the symbolic key. The image was shared by Trump on his Truth Social platform, showing the two smiling alongside each other. Aso, who left his position as prime minister in 2009 but remains influential in Japan as vice president of the nation’s Liberal Democratic Party, was the recipient of the key.
While the Trump campaign shared a readout of the discussion between Trump and Aso with Newsweek, they did not provide any comment regarding the key presented to Aso.
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“[Aso’s] a highly respected man in Japan and beyond,” Trump stated to reporters during the meeting. “It’s a great honor to have him.”
The significance of the key remains unknown, but it has attracted significant attention online, with many questioning Trump’s authority to make such a gesture.
“Not sure what gives him the right to do this,” wrote former NBC Universal executive Mike Sington on X. “Probably Citizen Trump once again pretending to be President.”
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a former White House adviser, revealed in his 2022 memoir that Trump designed keys for special guests during his time as president. These keys were etched with the presidential seal and the words “Key to the White House.” One of the recipients during Trump’s first term was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to a post by the Trump campaign, Trump and Aso discussed the enduring importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance to both countries’ physical and economic security, as well as to stability in the Indo-Pacific. They also addressed challenges posed by China and North Korea, with Trump praising Japan’s increased defense spending.
The meeting between Trump and Aso comes just two weeks after President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House, as both nations seek to bolster their military alliance in response to rising geopolitical tensions.
