KUALA LUMPUR, 26 October 2025 — It was all rhythm, colour, and a touch of trademark flair as U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Malaysia’s capital on Sunday morning, greeted by a vibrant troupe of traditional dancers, and promptly joined in!
After a 23-hour flight aboard Air Force One from Washington, the 79-year-old president wasted no time shaking off the jet lag. Drums thundered and dancers swayed as Trump strutted down the red carpet, throwing in a few of his signature fist pumps and side steps to the delight of the crowd.
Local performers, decked in bright traditional attire, clapped and chanted in unison as the music picked up tempo. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Trump matched their enthusiasm, moving to the beat and sharing a few laughs with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The moment quickly went viral online, with social media users affectionately dubbing it the “Kuala Lumpur Shuffle.”
A jubilant crowd waving both Malaysian and American flags cheered as Trump posed for photos with the performers. In a playful gesture, he even picked up two small flags and waved them triumphantly before greeting dignitaries waiting nearby.
The lively welcome marked the start of Trump’s week-long tour of Asia, which will also see him visit Japan and South Korea for talks expected to include meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Despite recent turbulence in global politics, including oil sanctions and renewed tensions in the Middle East, Trump’s upbeat arrival in Malaysia struck a lighter note, underscoring the warmth of cultural diplomacy.
As one local onlooker quipped, “He might not know the steps, but he’s got the spirit.”
For now, at least, the rhythm of Malaysia has found an unlikely dance partner in Donald Trump, and it seems the former president was more than happy to let the drums lead the way.
