President Donald Trump’s latest overseas appearance has become the talk of the internet, not for his diplomatic efforts, but for his dance moves. Over the weekend before October 26, 2025, the 79-year-old U.S. president was filmed swaying and bobbing to music as he arrived in Malaysia, where he was greeted by Malaysian officials and a crowd waving flags ahead of an ASEAN summit, according to CNN. What might have been a routine ceremonial welcome quickly spiraled into a viral sensation, with footage of Trump’s red-carpet dance spreading rapidly across X (formerly Twitter).
As Trump approached the dignitaries, his rhythmic movements — or, as some critics would have it, lack thereof — drew immediate fire online. Social media users wasted no time lampooning the president’s performance. Comments ranged from the incredulous to the outright mocking. One user quipped, “he has the rhythm of a mannequin that's been granted ten seconds of life to act human,” while another simply asked, “wtf is he doing? How embarrassing,” as reported by the Express and Mirror US. Another watcher, apparently cringing, wrote, “What in the cringelord is he doing?”
But the ridicule didn’t stop at playful jabs. Many observers pointed to a more serious concern: Trump’s health. Several users noted that he appeared to favor one side of his body, with his left side moving less than his right. One particularly alarmed user posted, “oh my God. I'm so embarrassed. And I guess he can't move the other arm anymore. This is so humiliating.” Another declared, “he couldn't even try not to embarrass us,” highlighting the intensity of the online reaction, as documented in the Irish Star and other outlets.
Some social media sleuths went so far as to speculate that Trump looked as if he was “having a stroke,” though there is no medical evidence to support such claims. The viral nature of the video, combined with the president’s age and the unevenness of his movements, fueled a wave of speculation that transcended mere mockery and morphed into genuine concern about his wellbeing.
This is not the first time Trump’s dancing has set tongues wagging. Back in April 2024, he was caught on camera at an Easter brunch at his Mar-a-Lago estate, enthusiastically waving his arm as he departed the event. That footage, too, made the rounds on social media, with supporters and critics alike weighing in. A Trump backer shared the Mar-a-Lago clip with the caption, “PRESIDENT Donald J Trump showing off his dance moves yesterday at the amazing Mar-a-Lago Easter celebration! Barron Trump following in his Dads footsteps! TRUMP 2024!”
Body language experts have also entered the fray, offering their own interpretations of Trump’s movements. Judi James, speaking to The Mirror, described the president’s gestures as reminiscent of “drying the back of your neck with a towel after a shower,” noting that his hands were “balled into fists.” She observed, “a rather determined facial expression,” which she believed was intended to provoke smiles, though she felt the attempt fell “flat.”
James went further, suggesting that Trump’s exit from the Mar-a-Lago brunch was “meaningful and emphatic,” as he threw “some high, 'hail' waves to the family, almost as though saying goodbye for a long time.” Her comments, laden with subtext, have been interpreted by some as a nod to Trump’s ongoing legal troubles, including the hush-money trial involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels, which began on April 15, 2024. As the BBC and Mirror US have reported, Trump’s legal woes have cast a long shadow over his public appearances, adding another layer of intrigue to his every gesture.
Despite the online uproar, there were also those who defended Trump’s penchant for public dancing. Supporters pointed to his history of breaking into dance at campaign rallies and private events, arguing that the president’s willingness to let loose is simply part of his signature bravado. “He isn’t shy about cutting a rug when he feels like it,” wrote one commentator, as reported by the Irish Star.
Still, the sheer volume and tone of the criticism were hard to ignore. The phrase “embarrassing” appeared in countless posts, with some users admitting to feeling secondhand embarrassment on behalf of the president. The spectacle even drew international attention, with news outlets in the UK, Ireland, and the U.S. all covering the story and amplifying the debate over Trump’s health and image.
For Trump, the Malaysia incident is just the latest in a series of viral moments that have defined his public persona. Whether at Mar-a-Lago, campaign stops, or international summits, the president’s dance moves have become a recurring motif — one that both delights his supporters and infuriates his detractors. The fact that even a simple gesture like swaying to music can ignite a global conversation speaks volumes about the polarized climate in which Trump operates.
Of course, it’s worth noting that presidential health has always been a topic of intense scrutiny, especially for leaders in their late seventies and beyond. Every stumble, every cough, every awkward movement is dissected for hidden meaning. Trump’s age — 79 at the time of his Malaysia visit — only adds fuel to the fire, particularly as he faces a grueling schedule and ongoing legal battles.
For now, there is no official statement from the White House regarding the president’s health in response to the Malaysia video. As with so many episodes in Trump’s career, the story is as much about perception as it is about reality. Was the dance a harmless attempt to join in the festivities, or a sign of something more serious? The answer, as ever, depends on who you ask — and which clips you watch.
In the end, Trump’s Malaysian dance serves as a reminder of how, in the age of social media, even the smallest gestures can become global flashpoints. Whether you see a leader letting his hair down or a politician stumbling in the spotlight, the world is watching, recording, and — perhaps most importantly — reacting.