WASHINGTON — President Obama has a new economic plan that might at least pump up sales on Fifth Avenue — asking a billionaire sultan to go on a New York shopping spree.
Appearing at the White House with his majesty Hassanal Bolkiah, the sultan of Brunei, Obama floated the shop-till-you-drop shopping-stimulus plan.
“My understanding is tomorrow he’s going to have an opportunity to take his family up to New York, where we’re going to encourage him to do some shopping, because we want to continue to strengthen the US economy,” Obama quipped.
The sultan, estimated to be worth about $20 billion, didn’t mention the joke when he spoke after the president, but thanked Obama for meeting him.
Obama, who gets his own taxpayer-subsidized plane, seemed jealous of his counterpart’s transport.
“He got here yesterday and flew in his own 747, meaning he actually piloted it himself,” Obama joked. “I think he’s probably the only head of state in the world who flies a 747 himself. And so in case Air Force One pilots have problems, we know who to consult.”