As you read this here ShaqFu Radio blog, you know our man Shaq likes to do big stuff. A big man with a big heart… we’ve seen him buy stuff for families in need in stores, restaurants and even a new car. This week, Yahoo News is out with the story of the over-the-top gift O’Neal gave his friend – and now returning President – Donald Trump on Trump’s wedding day.
Yup, pretty much classic Shaq. Sounds like the latest soft drink flavor (vs. the “New Shaq,” of course!), but that’s just the way he rolls. An important choice of word, rolls. You’ll find out why in a second. See, Shaq was one of the guests at Trump’s wedding to Melania Knauss (his current wife). The wedding gift? Well, let’s just say it probably was not listed on the wedding registry. It was a Rolls-Royce Phantom, valued (at the time) at a cool $325,000!
All this happened back in 2005, when Trump married Melania, the former high-fashion model. We’re not sure how the gift was presented (or wrapped, for that matter!), but Shaq gifted “The Donald” with the super-luxury car.
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Now, as we read the story on Yahoo News, it’s not entirely clear what happened to the car, or if it was indeed a real, you-get-it-and-keep-it gift. At the time, Shaq joked that the white Rolls would be parked at his (Shaq’s) house for Trump to use whenever he needed it. Does that mean O’Neal didn’t actually turn over the keys? Again, we’re not sure. Either way, it’s a great story!
If you don’t remember the news of the day, this all happened, as mentioned, back in 2005, and the ceremony was held in an oversized and lavish affair at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. No surprise, the reception was at Trump’s Florida home, the famous Mar-a-Lago club.
Shaq and his then-wife Shaunie were among the 400 guests who came to celebrate the big day of the a man who – at the time – was one of the biggest, most well known real estate tycoons in the country. Who could have guessed this was the same man who would be US President…not just once, but later also re-elected in one of the greatest political comeback stories ever?
Shaq has always had good things to say about Trump, even in the pre-political days. He’s described Trump as a “straight-up guy.” Somebody who doesn’t “sugarcoat” things. He even gave an example to a reporter years ago. We’re not sure if this ever happened to the big man, but he told reporters at the time; If your shirt was untucked, Trump wouldn’t suggest it politely; he’d just tell you outright, directly.
Not everyone is a big Trump fan, and O’Neal recognizes that. He says he believes that Trump speaks directly to people and that his words might be better received if he rephrased them at times. But he respects Trumps directness and honesty, which is why they’ve stayed friends despite their different worlds.
We’re wondering if the car Shaq gave Trump all those years ago was one of the three the big man once bought – all at the same time! to “prove a point” to a car salesperson who doubted his ability to afford them. By the way, Shaq has said on many occasions that buying three cars all at once – especially super high-end vehicles like the Rolls-Royces, was one of the early mistakes he made with money. We’d say he’s done pretty well since then.
So, we’re wondering if new US President Trump still has this particular wedding gift from Shaq. We’re imagining it tucked away in some not-so-dusty garage at Mar-a-Lago, just waiting for the day when it can get out on the road again. Trump: “Melania..let’s go for a drive!”