Former U.S. President Donald Trump—long known for his attention to his own hair—received an eye-catching welcome during his visit to the United Arab Emirates this week, as part of his Middle East tour.
Upon arriving at Qasr Al Watan, the UAE’s presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, Trump was greeted with a striking performance of Al-Ayyala, a traditional dance recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Accompanied by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Trump walked through a ceremonial formation that included rows of women rhythmically flipping their long hair in synchrony with chants and drumming. The unusual welcome appeared to momentarily confuse Trump, who watched the display with a blank expression before reverting to his familiar fist-pump gesture. A video of the moment, shared by White House aide Margo Martin, quickly went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
A Cultural Showcase
Al-Ayyala is typically performed at weddings and national celebrations in the UAE and Oman. Traditionally, it involves two lines of men wielding thin bamboo sticks in a simulated battle, while chanting poetic verses in rhythm with percussion. In some modern interpretations—particularly during state occasions—female performers may accompany the dance, flipping their hair in unison to amplify the visual spectacle.
Hair and Politics
The performance was particularly notable given Trump’s often-discussed hair. The former president has repeatedly rejected claims that he wears a toupee, even inviting supporters to verify its authenticity by touch. Most recently, while rolling back water efficiency regulations, he remarked, “I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair.”
Diplomatic Tour and Fanfare
Trump’s stop in the UAE concludes a high-profile tour of the Gulf, following visits to Qatar and Saudi Arabia earlier in the week. In each nation, he was welcomed with extravagant ceremony. In Doha, his motorcade was flanked by a ceremonial procession of red Tesla Cybertrucks. In Riyadh, a 21-gun salute marked his arrival.
The visit also carried significant diplomatic weight. Trump claimed to have secured “hundreds of billions of dollars” in investments with the Saudi government. He becomes only the second sitting U.S. president to visit the UAE, following George W. Bush in 2008.
While the trip was packed with formal meetings and regional discussions, it was the dramatic dance reception—and Trump’s reaction to it—that captured global attention.
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