President Donald Trump faced a wave of criticism after a video of him dancing during his Asia tour went viral, with many calling his behavior tone-deaf as millions of Americans struggle with hunger and rising living costs.
During a stop in Malaysia, Trump joined local performers for a dance at an official welcome ceremony beside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The 79-year-old president appeared smiling and energetic as he moved to the music on a red carpet rolled out for his arrival. The moment quickly spread online, sparking outrage across the political spectrum.
On Monday’s episode of the MeidasTouch podcast, host Ben Meiselas slammed Trump’s actions, calling the scene “grotesque” and “clownish.” He compared it to a 1992 video of Trump dancing alongside the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “While Donald Trump’s out there in Malaysia doing his bizarre dance routine, Americans are suffering here,” Meiselas said. “Forty-two million Americans are about to lose their SNAP benefits, and they’re going to starve while this man is dancing on red carpets overseas.”
The timing of Trump’s lighthearted appearance struck a nerve with many who say the president seems more focused on foreign affairs than on the worsening situation at home. The U.S. is currently facing a government shutdown, growing inflation, and increasing food insecurity, while debates over healthcare and tariffs continue to divide Congress.
California Governor Gavin Newsom joined in the criticism, writing on X, “Donald Trump is literally dancing in Asia while 40 million people lose access to food. Disgusting.”
Trump is in Malaysia to sign a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand — two countries that have been at odds for years over disputed territory. His trip also includes meetings at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, followed by visits to Japan and South Korea for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
But the backlash isn’t just coming from Democrats. Even within his own party, frustration is growing over what some see as a departure from his original “America First” message.
A senior Trump adviser told Axios that while supporters appreciate his efforts to broker peace abroad, many believe he should refocus on the economy and domestic challenges. “Voters reward winners, and Trump is a winner,” the adviser said. “But I’d be lying if I said none of us wish he would talk a little more about the economy and things back home.”
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump ally who has become more vocal in recent months, also criticized the president’s foreign policy priorities. “It’s a revolving door at the White House of foreign leaders while Americans are screaming for help,” she said. “If speaking up about that means breaking with my party, then so be it. I thought we were supposed to be America First.”
The White House has not issued any comment on the controversy. But the criticism highlights a growing divide among Trump’s own supporters, some of whom fear that his focus on international recognition could further alienate struggling voters back home.
Meanwhile, the viral clip of Trump’s “red carpet dance” continues to circulate online — with some mocking his moves and others using it as a symbol of what they see as misplaced priorities during a time of deep national hardship.
