The First Minister was presented with two items by Eric Trump when they met for talks at Bute House in March.
15:57, 09 Sep 2025Updated 20:26, 09 Sep 2025
Donald Trump, flanked by his sons Eric Trump (centre) and Donald Trump Jr (left) officially opened the second course at the family’s Menie Estate.
John Swinney was gifted Trump-branded clothing worth almost £500 following a meeting with the US President’s son earlier this year.
The First Minister welcomed Eric Trump to his official residence in Edinburgh in March for an event described as a “business meeting”.
The sit-down was later hailed as a “warm and friendly” engagement by the President’s son, in which the pair “did not discuss Scottish or US politics but concentrated on golf”.
Trump International owns two five-star golf resorts in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, which hosted a visit to Scotland by the US Commander-in-Chief this summer.
It has now been revealed Eric Trump presented the SNP leader with a navy zip neck jumper by Johnstons of Elgin, embroidered with a Trump International emblem, worth £170. Swinney was also gifted a cashmere scarf made by Johnstons and embroidered with the Trump logo, worth £295.
The gifts were susbequently recorded on the Scottish Government’s official register, as strict rules dictate, which notes that both presents are currently “held by the Permanent Secretary”.
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The ministerial code explains that gifts “given to Ministers in their Ministerial capacity become the property of the Government”.
The code adds: “However, gifts of small value, currently up to £140, may be retained by the Minister in question. If not retained by the Minister, gifts of small value should be handed over to the Minister’s Private Office for disposal.
“Gifts of a higher value must, in all cases, be reported to the Permanent Secretary. Such gifts may be purchased by the recipient at their cash value (abated by £140). If not purchased by the Minister, gifts of a higher value should be handed over to the Permanent Secretary for disposal.”
The Scottish Government was criticised in March for not revealing the timing or location of Eric Trump’s visit until the matter was raised by reporters.
A spokesman for Swinney said at the time the event was a “routine” meeting between the First Minister and a business leader.
Speaking about Eric Trump, the spokesman said: “He is a business leader and an employer in Scotland.
“The First Minister, Deputy First Minister and other ministers regularly meet business figures who employ in Scotland and invest in Scotland. This is not a political meeting, it is a business meeting.”
It was later reported Swinney offered reassurances to Trump’s son after the family’s Turnberry golf resort was attacked by vandals earlier this year.
The First Minister shared his “concern” over the incident when the pair met at Bute House, the week after the five star Trump Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire was vandalised by a pro-Palestinian group.
Red paint was daubed over one of the buildings and the words “Gaza is not for sale” were sprayed across one green on the championship course. Police have since made several arrests in connection with the attack.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The First Minister welcomed Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organisation, to Bute House where they discussed the contribution the organisation provides to Scotland’s economy.
“As is standard practice with gifts of a value over £140, these are being stored securely by the Scottish Government and a decision will be taken on what happens to them in due course.”
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