Kathrine Frich
Commentators and online observers speculated about Trump’s mental clarity.
Commentators and online observers speculated about Trump’s mental clarity.
$600 billion investment
President Donald Trump landed in Riyadh this week for a high-profile state visit, greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The trip quickly made headlines, not just for the signing of a massive $600 billion investment and arms deal, but for Trump’s unexpected behavior during a formal ceremony with Saudi military officials.
Saluting Controversy Fuels Political Storm
A moment that drew particular attention was a video showing President Trump saluting Saudi officers at the Royal Court.
While some saw this as a diplomatic courtesy, critics accused him of violating U.S. presidential protocol. Chris D. Jackson, a Democratic strategist, wrote on X:
“A very confused Trump just saluted Saudi military officials… a blatant breach of protocol.”
The comment ignited debate online, with defenders arguing Trump simply returned a military gesture, appropriate for a Commander-in-Chief.
Health Fears Resurface After ‘Confused’ Display
The salute wasn’t the only concern. Commentators and online observers speculated about Trump’s mental clarity, pointing to what they described as a “confused” demeanor.
His body language and interactions during the greeting ceremony sparked fresh questions about his cognitive health in the third year of his second term.
Though no official medical concerns have been confirmed, the optics of the moment were enough to fuel trending hashtags and partisan takes across U.S. media.
$600 Billion Deal Overshadowed by Gaffe
The diplomatic signing ceremony sealed a major Saudi commitment to invest $600 billion into U.S. markets and included a significant arms agreement.
But instead of dominating headlines with the economic triumph, much of the media focus veered toward Trump’s physical comportment and his handling of the formalities.
“Imagine If Biden Had Done That…”
Jackson’s critique struck a deeper political chord:
“If Joe Biden had done that, Fox News would be in meltdown mode.”
This sentiment was echoed by others online, suggesting a perceived media double standard in how presidential behavior is reported and scrutinized depending on the party in power.
Defenders Rally: “He’s Commander-in-Chief. This Is Fine.”
Trump’s supporters were quick to counter the criticism, citing military custom:
“The Commander-in-Chief returning a salute is normal protocol,” one user posted.
“It’s a sign of mutual respect between officers.”
Some veterans and military-affiliated commenters pointed out that returning salutes from foreign military officials, while unusual, is not explicitly banned and falls into a gray area of diplomatic etiquette.