Trump Welcomed in UAE With Traditional Hair-Flipping Dance
Former US President Donald Trump received a vibrant and culturally rich welcome in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, as part of the final leg of his Middle East diplomatic tour. The welcome ceremony, held at the majestic Qasr Al Watan presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, featured a traditional performance of Al-Ayyala — a cultural art form native to the UAE and Oman that has since gone viral on social media.
The performance was striking and unique, involving synchronized drumming, chanting, and a captivating sight of women in traditional dress tossing their long hair side-to-side in rhythmic unison. Trump, escorted through the ceremonial lines, appeared visibly intrigued yet reserved as the dancers moved in formation around him. The video of the performance was shared by White House aide Margo Martin on X (formerly Twitter), quickly gaining over 5 million views and sparking global curiosity.
“The welcome ceremony in UAE continues!” Martin captioned the post. The clip showcases Trump walking past a line of performers, including men brandishing slender sword-like sticks and women flipping their hair dramatically to the beat of traditional drums. While the cultural significance of the performance is deeply rooted in Gulf tradition, its visual appeal struck a chord globally, with social media users both fascinated and puzzled by the elaborate hair-tossing.
Questions flooded the comments section of the viral video. “Can someone explain the hair tossing by the females?” asked one user. Another wrote, “Someone pls explain what the hair/head swing is all about?” The interest reflects the cultural curiosity that often arises during such high-profile state visits, especially when lesser-known regional traditions are placed in the global spotlight.
According to UNESCO, the performance Trump witnessed is called Al-Ayyala, and it is officially recognized as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Al-Ayyala simulates a battlefield scenario, typically performed at weddings and festive occasions. It involves chanting poetry, playing drums, and a coordinated dance. In the front row, girls in traditional garments swing their long hair rhythmically, while rows of men carrying thin bamboo sticks — symbolic of swords or spears — face off in formation.
The Al-Ayyala dance is more than performance art; it is a cultural narrative of heritage, unity, and social cohesion. The lead performer, often a respected community member, plays a critical role in organizing and training others. Despite the performance’s seemingly theatrical nature, it has deep roots in community bonding and traditional values. It is inclusive, involving participants of all ages, genders, and social classes.
Trump's reception in the UAE was one of several grandiose displays of hospitality offered during his whirlwind Middle East tour, which included prior stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In Saudi Arabia, Air Force One was accompanied by a six-fighter jet escort as it entered Saudi airspace — a powerful symbol of respect and alliance. In Qatar, fighter planes also escorted the President’s plane, and his motorcade was flanked by camel parades, adding a distinctly regional flair to the formal visit.
These displays reflect the importance of Trump’s re-engagement with the Gulf region. During this tour, the former President is reported to have secured over $1 trillion in investment commitments from Gulf states, as reported by the New York Post. While the details of these investments are yet to be fully disclosed, they underline a renewed strategic and economic alignment between the US and key players in the Middle East.
Trump's visit to the UAE, in particular, emphasized both ceremonial grandeur and political symbolism. The Al-Ayyala performance served not only as a welcome but also as a representation of the country’s proud cultural heritage and its willingness to showcase tradition in global diplomacy. The UAE has frequently utilized such cultural displays to strengthen diplomatic ties, drawing attention to the region’s history and unity.
For many observers, the moment encapsulated how modern geopolitics and cultural preservation can coexist. It also highlighted how state visits are increasingly becoming immersive cultural exchanges, where the soft power of traditions and heritage plays a crucial role in shaping political relationships.
As Trump wrapped up his Middle East visit, the images and videos from Abu Dhabi continued to circulate widely online, igniting conversations about Middle Eastern culture, diplomacy, and the blending of ceremonial tradition with modern statecraft.
In an age where social media often defines public perception, such performances — however ancient in origin — now reach audiences across continents in seconds. And in doing so, they not only welcome world leaders like Trump but also open a window into the soul of a nation’s identity. The UAE’s decision to feature the Al-Ayyala dance was both a diplomatic gesture and a cultural showcase — a powerful statement of heritage in the global spotlight.