It’s one of those images that just stuck. You’ve probably seen the clip: a line of men in long white robes, rhythmic drumming, and right in the middle, the 45th President of the United States holding a gold-adorned blade. When Donald Trump dances with sword in hand, it isn't just a weird photo op. It was actually a massive diplomatic moment that people still argue about today.
Honestly, the internet went a little nuts. Some folks thought it was the most awkward thing they’d ever seen. Others saw it as a masterclass in "when in Rome" diplomacy. But if you look past the memes, there’s a lot of history—and a staggering amount of money—involved in those few minutes of rhythmic swaying.
The Night the Sword Came Out
It was May 2017. Riyadh was hot, and the stakes were higher. This was Trump’s first big overseas trip as President. Usually, presidents head to Canada or Mexico first, but Trump flipped the script and landed in Saudi Arabia.
The scene at the Murabba Palace was intense. We're talking about a traditional ceremony known as the Ardah. It’s not just "dancing." It’s a centuries-old war dance. Historically, tribes did this before going into battle to show off their strength and loyalty. Today, it’s how the Saudis honor their most important guests.
Trump wasn't alone out there. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross were right beside him, trying their best to catch the beat. Trump, wearing a focused grin, didn't go full ballerina. He mostly did a sort of conservative side-step, bobbing his head to the heavy thrum of the drums.
Why the Ardah Matters
You can’t understand the Trump dances with sword moment without knowing what the Ardah actually represents. It was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2015.
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- The Poetry: It starts with a single line of poetry, called the Hawrabah, chanted by a lead singer with a booming voice.
- The Drums: Two types of drums—the large Takhmir and the smaller Tathlith—create a heartbeat-like rhythm.
- The Swords: They aren't just for show. They symbolize the power and readiness of the state.
When King Salman handed Trump that sword, he wasn't just giving him a prop. He was inviting him into a ritual of "joy and pride." For a leader who campaigned on "America First," seeing him participate in a foreign military-rooted ritual was, well, a choice.
The $110 Billion Backdrop
Let’s be real: they weren't just dancing for the fun of it. The "sword dance" happened right as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia inked a massive arms deal. We’re talking about $110 billion in immediate sales, with the potential to grow to $350 billion over a decade.
Basically, the dance was the celebration of a massive business transaction.
Critics at the time pointed out the irony. Here was a president who had previously been very vocal about Saudi Arabia's role in global affairs, now swaying shoulder-to-shoulder with their royalty. It was a "reset" of the regional order. The message was clear: the Obama-era friction was over. The new administration was ready to do business, and they were happy to pick up a sword to prove it.
What Most People Get Wrong
People love to call the dance "clunky." And yeah, watching a 70-year-old billionaire from Queens try to master Middle Eastern folk dance is always going to be a bit stiff. But the "awkwardness" misses the point.
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In diplomacy, the effort counts more than the execution.
The fact that he did it at all was a huge win for his hosts. It showed a level of cultural deference that many didn't expect from him. Remember, he also visited the "Glowing Orb" during that same trip—another moment that looked like a scene from a sci-fi movie but was actually the opening of a center to combat extremist ideology.
The Viral Aftermath
The internet did what it does best: it made it weird. The footage of Trump, Tillerson, and Ross with their swords was edited into countless parodies. But while Twitter was laughing, the Middle East was watching.
To the Saudi public, it was a sign of respect. To regional rivals like Iran, it was a signal of a tightening alliance.
A Quick Comparison of Presidential Visits
| President | Year | Signature Moment | Key Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama | 2009 | The "Bowed" Greeting | Diplomacy/Tension |
| Donald Trump | 2017 | The Sword Dance | Celebration/Business |
| Joe Biden | 2022 | The Fist Bump | Pragmatic/Frosty |
As you can see, every president has their "thing" in Riyadh. Trump's just happened to involve cold steel and drums.
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Actionable Insights: Why This Still Matters
It’s been years, but the Trump dances with sword clip still pops up in political ads and news retrospectives. Why? Because it’s the ultimate visual for a specific type of foreign policy—one based on personal relationships and "big deals" rather than just traditional lectures on human rights.
If you're trying to understand modern U.S.-Saudi relations, look at that dance. It tells you everything about the shift toward a more transactional, "no-lectures" approach.
Next steps for you:
If you want to dive deeper into how this moment changed things, look up the "Riyadh Declaration" from that same trip. It outlines the security and economic goals that were set that night while the drums were still beating. You can also find the full UNESCO filing on the Ardah if you're curious about the specific poems they were chanting while the President was swaying along.
The sword might have been ceremonial, but the shift in power that night was very, very real.