Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – During a brief respite in the VIP lounge at King Khalid International Airport on May 13, 2025, President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shared a moment over Saudi coffee, a traditional beverage known for its strong, bitter flavor, per @3sidedstory on X []. Trump’s reaction, captured in a video viewed over 1.3 million times, is a mix of curiosity and caution, with conservatives on X calling it “pure gold”: “Trump’s face says it all—America First even in Saudi Arabia!”
The scene, set against a backdrop of opulent decor with portraits of Saudi royalty and American and Saudi flags, shows Trump in a navy suit and purple tie, Rubio in a dark suit, and the Crown Prince in traditional attire, per the image []. The coffee, served in small cups, is a cultural staple, often accompanied by dates to offset its bitterness, per en.wikipedia.org []. Trump, however, opted not to drink, his expression a blend of polite interest and skepticism, a moment that has become a viral sensation, per @3sidedstory [].
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Saudi coffee, lavender carpets, and Arabian horses – the essence of our hospitality 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/MUrfyGHDA3
— Saud Salman AlDossary | سعود بن سلمان الدوسري (@999saudsalman) May 13, 2025
Conservatives are loving it. “Trump’s face when offered Saudi coffee—classic!” wrote one user on X. Another added, “He’s not falling for their tricks—Trump’s all about America!” The visit, part of a broader Mideast tour, includes a $100 billion arms deal and oil production talks, aligning with Trump’s economic agenda—$2 trillion in federal spending cuts and 88,763 deportations since January. The coffee moment, with Trump’s restrained reaction, underscores his cautious approach to international relations, contrasting with Biden’s perceived weaknesses, where Saudi ties frayed.
As Trump’s policies reshape global alliances, this lighthearted yet telling interaction proves his leadership transcends cultural boundaries, making America the envy of the world once again, even in the face of a mysterious local drink.
