Vladimir Putin Soccer Ball Gift to Donald Trump Gets Routine Security Check

Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup. Trump said he'd give the ball to his 12-year-old son Barron, a soccer fan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hands U.S. President Donald Trump (L) a World Cup football during a joint press conference after their summit on July 16, 2018 in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

Washington, Jul 21: The red-and-white soccer ball tossed to President Donald Trump by Russia's Vladimir Putin is undergoing a routine security screening. The US Secret Service says that's standard for all gifts to the president. During a joint news conference after their summit this week in Finland, Putin used soccer metaphors and was handed a soccer ball that he tossed to Trump. Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup. Trump said he'd give the ball to his 12-year-old son Barron, a soccer fan.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Putin critic, tweeted after the exchange that he'd have the ball checked for listening devices and "never allow it in the White House." Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told a security conference he's sure the ball "has been looked at very carefully."

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