King Charles and Donald Trump sword fiasco leaves library boss 'begging for his job back'
Todd Arrington wants to return to his role despite the drama
The director of a library in Kansas has stepped down amid a dispute with the Trump administration over gifting a sword in its collection to King Charles, it’s been reported.
The fiasco has led to the director of the Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library, Todd Arrington, resigning from his role.
Arrington has said that he was told to “resign or be fired” due to the debacle.
King Charles and Donald Trump sword fiasco
In an interview, Arrington explained that he felt pressured to leave his role. It came after he reportedly resisted taking an original Eisenhower sword out of the library’s collection.
The sword was requested so President Trump could reportedly gift it to King Charles last month, during his second UK state visit.
Reports claim that four officials involved in the state visit were unaware that Arrington had left his role. Reportedly, the White House played no role in his exit.
Royal Insider has contacted Eisenhower Library for comment. Unfortunately, their facilities are closed due to the shutdown of the US federal government.
Buckingham Palace didn’t specify which sword was gifted to King Charles by Trump, but noted that he was given a replica, which “symbolises profound respect and is a reminder of the historical partnership that was critical to winning World War II”.
As reported by CBS News, US State Department officials sought to gift an Eisenhower sword to symbolise the importance of the US and UK’s relationship following WWII, but Arrington declined.
He felt that the artefacts were to be kept and protected.
State Department officials were allegedly keen on getting the sword to gift to King Charles
Reportedly, Arrington tried to aid officials in finding another option, including a replica, but State Department officials were allegedly set on the original Eisenhower sword.
The outlet said it was not clear who in particular requested the sword to present to the king.
First Lady Melania Trump reportedly chose the gifts that were given to Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales. It isn’t clear whether President Trump had specifically asked for the original Eisenhower sword himself.
Ultimately, the king was given a replica sword and the queen was gifted a Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch.
Unfortunately, although the gifting situation appeared to have been solved with a replica, this dispute led to officials allegedly being unhappy with Arrington. He was even accused of speaking negatively about Trump’s administration.
Eisenhower library director ‘forced’ to resign
Arrington told CBS News: “I never said a bad word about anybody. I talked to colleagues about trying to find a sword or artifact, something we could give to them for the president to give to the king, and at no time did I disparage anyone.”
Arrington had been working as director of the Eisenhower library since August 2024.
Despite the conflict, he insists he would return to his job in a heartbeat.
“I’d return to this job in a heartbeat,” he said. “I love the job, I love the people, I love the history. I never in a million years wanted this to happen.”
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
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So, what do you think? Should King Charles have been gifted the real sword? Leave us a comment on our Royal Insider Facebook page and let us know. We want to hear your thoughts!
