Donald Trump’s three-day visit to Japan began with a diplomatic embarrassment that quickly went viral online. The U.S. President arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday for bilateral talks with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, to strengthen defence and economic cooperation, but it was his awkward conduct during the ceremonial welcome that dominated global attention.
A video widely shared on social media shows Trump appearing confused during the Guard of Honour inspection at the official reception. As he accompanied Prime Minister Takaichi, Trump initially raised his hand in salute to the Japanese personnel before abruptly lowering it, apparently realising it was not the correct protocol. Moments later, as the Japanese Prime Minister paused for a scheduled stop, Trump kept walking ahead, unaware of the procedure.
The brief moment of confusion was captured on multiple cameras, with Takaichi visibly surprised before hastening her pace to catch up with Trump. The confusion did not end there. When a guard gestured to direct Trump toward the dais, the U.S. President again failed to notice and continued walking straight ahead. It was only after Takaichi intervened and guided him that he took the correct turn toward the dais, where both leaders stood for the national anthems.
Clips of the incident have since flooded social media platforms, with many users mocking Trump’s lack of awareness and comparing the episode to his earlier public gaffes. Critics pointed out that the 79-year-old president has recently made several verbal slips, including claiming that India “gets a new prime minister every year” and confusing India with Iran in a discussion about tariffs and nuclear tensions.
Observers have raised renewed concerns about Trump’s cognitive health. Psychologist Dr John Gartner, in a recent podcast, said he noticed signs of motor deterioration in Trump’s public appearances, suggesting early symptoms of dementia. The White House has dismissed these claims, asserting that the president shows “no evidence of cognitive decline.”
Despite the controversy, Trump’s Tokyo visit continues, with his scheduled talks with Prime Minister Takaichi expected to focus on bolstering defence collaboration, enhancing supply chain security, and expanding trade ties between the two nations. However, the viral footage from his arrival has already overshadowed the diplomatic agenda, reigniting questions about the president’s composure and mental acuity on the world stage.
