Donald Trump’s attempt to make an impression in Malaysia began with a lighthearted incident as he arrived in Southeast Asia to witness the signing of a significant peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand. A group of people gathered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to welcome the 79-year-old’s arrival on Air Force One, and it seemed like he was ready to display his dance moves.
Trump’s signature ‘fist-pump’ dance became a highlight of his 2024 presidential campaign, quickly gaining popularity on social media. This trend continued on Sunday (October 26) when a video shared on TikTok by Trump’s official campaign account encouraged viewers to describe his brief performance in just two words.
The caption from Team Trump read, “Trump just showcased a new version of the Trump dance in Malaysia. A must-watch!”
During a traditional dance performance by Malaysian greeters, Trump engaged by standing in front of them, swaying his hips, and energetically pumping his fists.
However, a TikTok user criticized his actions, stating, “So undignified, Trump lacks class.”
Another person agreed, saying, “Money cannot buy class.”
Contrarily, many Cambodians expressed gratitude towards Trump for his role in the peace process. “I am Cambodian, and I sincerely thank you, Donald Trump, for assisting my country,” one individual commented.
Another person added, “Thank you, President Donald Trump, for saving Cambodian lives.”
Yet another TikTok user praised Trump, saying, “The American president who has prevented the most conflicts between countries in history. The Cambodian people are forever thankful.”
This visit marks Trump’s first official trip to the Asia-Pacific region since returning to office and includes a forthcoming trip to Tokyo, Japan, where he will meet the newly-appointed Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, the first female PM in Japan.
Following this, Trump’s schedule includes a visit to South Korea to meet President Lee Jae Myung and an expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the Asia Pacific Economic Forum (Apec).
Comparisons made in March raised questions about whether Trump learned his dance moves during his social interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. Footage from 1992 shows Trump awkwardly dancing alongside Epstein and a group of young women at Mar-A-Lago.
Despite these speculations, Trump has consistently denied any misconduct during his association with Epstein, who passed away in 2019.
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