The trade deal between the US and Saudi Arabia
The King informed Eisenhower that he resented and envied the United States, and that he dressed up as the US President when he was alone. An astonished Eisenhower was embarrassed by Saud's confession of inferiority. And amused. The king noticed Ike's condescending smirk.
"Perhaps the President thinks it is funny?"
Eisenhower said "Not at all. If that helps you, it is a good idea"
The King said "So you think it is good for me to dress up as you, the President?"
Eisenhower laughed and said "If that helps you, of course"
But then Saud informed him that the President would play a major role in this secret practice from now on.
A confused Eisenhower asked what the King meant.
The King replied that he would, of course, require the President's own clothes.
So there would be an unusual requirement added to the oil deal: all of Eisenhower's magnificent American formal attire would be removed immediately and transferred as property to Saud.
Eisenhower was stunned. And angry. "My clothes! THESE clothes I am wearing! Never!"
The King would force Eisenhower, President of the United States and military hero, to surrender his white and tails formal attire, and everything else he was wearing including his shoes, and present them as a 'gift' to the King - and in the President's own house, The White House.
Transcripts reveal a stunned and angry Ike bluntly refusing to comply, and the King smugly assuring him that the oil deal depended on it. Then the President argued, begged and attempted to negotiate.
How could Saud do this to the most powerful man in the world?
And in the dignified official residence?
What about dignity, pride and respect and between allies?
At one point the powerful Commanding General of D-Day was reduced to whimpering and begging on his knees in his full dress suit.
But Saud was unrelenting. "DO YOU WANT OUR OIL? Where will your great prosperous nation be without it? I MUST play Ike when I return to my palace! I must have your formal wear for my own use. Will your vanity and pride stop this treaty?"
Vice President Nixon smirked "We MUST have oil, Mr. President!"
Ike glared at Nixon.
His smug, sneering Vice President knew about the arrangement and enjoyed it.
A broken, shaking, stunned Eisenhower finally submitted.
"I agree" he said. "Give me the pen"
"Wait! Take off your shoes and socks before you sign this agreement! As a sign of your surrender" said the King.
Livind with anger and shocked, Eisenhower removed his handmade patent leather shoes and his silk socks.
"What will I wear now?" snapped Ike.
The King smiled and gave him a cheap cotton thawb. "This is what poor men wear in my nation"
Ike was then forced to sign a prepared agreement signing over ownership of all his former possessions to Saud, agreeing that he was doing it of his own free will.
"This is like being interrogated by the communists" said a furious, barefoot Eisenhower. But he signed.
"There is no need to be insulting. Now strip!" said the King.
And the President did.
A delighted King listed the full, detailed inventory plundered from the unsuspecting US President. All of the items were found intact in the vault. They were kept cleaned and pressed, and appeared as they had been when appropriated from their former owner.
Clothing and Possessions Stripped from President Eisenhower in the White House, 1957
• A full dress suit, a set of formal attire
• Black tails coat with peak lapels, black satin lining
• Matching black formal trousers with satin piping, black satin lining
• Matching white cotton pique bow tie.
• White voile shirt with a pique bib front
• Matching pique wing collar
• Matching pique French cuffs
• White cotton pique vest
• Gold cufflinks and diamond shirt studs with Presidential seal
• One engraved Swiss Rolex taken from Eisenhower's wrist
• One pair of white silk underwear, shorts and tee shirt
• One pair of shoes, polished English Patent Leather, size 10 1/2
• Black over the calf silk socks with Eisenhower's monogram on the soles
• One West Point Class Ring taken from Eisenhower's finger
Saud then told the formerly impeccably dressed Eisenhower that the huge disparity in power and status between their two nations had been erased temporarily, due to the President's new humbled position and appearance.
An outraged and humiliated Eisenhower was then forced to wear the cheap Arab thawb that replaced his magnificent wardrobe - and nothing else - and had to sit quietly through the formal dinner in the White House. The triumphant King then signed the oil and airbase deal while wearing Ike's own West point ring.
Only a few people were present and all were sworn to secrecy. Ike's clothes and personal items were packed carefully and flown to Arabia where they were maintained until this week.
