This is because of the sometimes erratic nature of the world’s most powerful leader, who does not hold back from using curse words even in the presence of other world leaders.

But when ASEAN 2025 host Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim received him on the red-carpeted tarmac at KLIA, the American leader was noticeably in a jovial mood.

He greeted Anwar with a warm handshake, and the exchange of polite niceties between them was evident on television and social media screens beamed live across the world.

But what transpired next took the cake, as he instinctively broke into his signature dance grooves when warmly greeted by a group of young traditional dancers.

Dancing to the tune of a zapin melody, he grooved with his very own “hand shuffle”, almost exemplary of a somewhat slow twist.

Even Anwar must have been taken in by what Trump did, and, apparently, not wanting to miss the fun, he too joined Trump with his dance moves.

This added to what was surely a spirited welcoming ceremony that no event manager could have choreographed.

The picture of Anwar and Trump dancing only lifted spirits and added to the warmth of what was already a bright and sunny Sunday morning, compared with the gloomy showers that preceded the President’s arrival.

Images and videos of their “dance routine” were shared by millions worldwide and, in the process, have undoubtedly raised Malaysia’s image on the world stage.

People from all walks of life were sharing, retweeting and commenting on this “dancing” episode.

A case in point was a video posted showing the President’s special assistant and communications adviser, Margo Martin, dancing in Malaysia.

It has garnered more than a million likes on the social media platform Instagram and a whopping 21.5 million views.

The video has also racked up 17.7 million views on Facebook and 9.3 million on TikTok, captioned “Trump is the leader of the world and the king of social media”.

Ordinary Malaysians must undoubtedly be overwhelmed by a sense of pride that an American President has acknowledged Malaysia, its leader, national symbols, and people.

As if this wasn’t enough excitement for the day, Trump walked a bit farther and approached a group welcoming him while waving the flags of the United States and Malaysia.

He instinctively took the “Jalur Gemilang” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” from them and started waving, much to the delight of the mostly Malaysian crowd gathered at KLIA.

Trump also broke protocol when he invited Anwar to join him in the “Beast” — the President’s official car — for their short journey to downtown Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN meetings.

As the ASEAN host, Anwar went to a leading hotel in KL to send off Trump this morning.

Air Force One is now en route to Tokyo and thereafter to South Korea, where Trump will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting to be held at the coastal city of Gyeongju.

But etched in people’s minds for a long time would be the running images of an exuberant President who, on a Sunday morning, brought cheer, joy and laughter to ordinary Malaysians.

I’m proud to be Malaysian.

-- BERNAMA