Trump’s Malaysia visit kicks off with awkward, meme-worthy dance with native performers

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Upon landing in the Malaysian capital, President Trump joined a vibrant group of native performers in a lively dance, marking the beginning of his Asian tour.

Fresh from a grueling 23-hour flight from Washington, the 79-year-old president showcased his moves, swaying his hips and pumping his fists to the rhythmic beats of drums on the airport tarmac, just off Air Force One.

The performance featured dancers adorned in colorful attire representing Malaysia's diverse ethnic groups, including indigenous communities from Borneo alongside Malays, Chinese, and Indian performers.

Accompanying Trump was Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who joined in the festivities, moving to the music beside his distinguished guest.

This five-day tour aims to strengthen America's influence and trade relationships across Asia. Trump is set to meet with newly elected Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo and engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. There are also discussions about a potential meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarized Zone, which could be added to the itinerary at the last moment.

Air Force One's arrival was marked by an escort of two F-18 fighter jets, a ceremonial gesture reminiscent of previous visits to Middle Eastern nations.

The tour commenced with a packed schedule, including a 14-minute press conference held over the Atlantic during a refueling stop in Germany.

In Qatar, Trump hosted Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani aboard Air Force One, where they watched a UFC match on television.

This stop was pivotal for advancing Trump's Gaza peace initiative, which includes establishing an international peacekeeping force following a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas as part of his comprehensive 20-point plan aimed at resolving the two-year conflict.

TRUMP DANCE — MALAYSIA EDITION! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/HLyCVaCndh

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 26, 2025

"You’re going to have peace in the Middle East. This is real peace," Trump asserted during the brief stop. "This has never happened before — 3,000 years this has never happened."

He noted that a multinational coalition is currently selecting leaders for deployment to Gaza. "The US doesn’t have to get much involved. They’re able to take care of it," he stated. "Very substantial nations are involved: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, along with Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, and Egypt. It’s an amazing group."

Despite not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize this month, conflict resolution remains a central theme of Trump's global tour.

The highlight of his visit to Malaysia will be a ceremonial signing of a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand, which ended a five-day border conflict in July that resulted in at least 66 fatalities, facilitated by Trump's mediation and threats of increased US tariffs.