Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — A recent timelapse video is making waves online as it captures an impressive sequence of handshakes between former U.S. President Donald Trump and numerous Saudi officials during his high-profile diplomatic visit. Recorded during Trump’s 2017 Middle East tour on its opening day, this fast-paced greeting session marked a crucial point in U.S.-Saudi relations.
This video, condensed from almost 20 minutes of footage into an engaging 90-second clip, shows Donald Trump being warmly received at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport upon stepping off Air Force One. King Salman bin Abdulaziz and senior royal family members as well as top military commanders were there to greet him along with senior royal family members and top military commanders for what became a choreographed procession of handshakes, smiles, formal greetings exchanged among members of both royal families and military commanders that led to him meeting up with senior family members and commanders at King Khalid International Airport before leaving Air Force One behind.
Timelapse footage captured Donald Trump displaying his signature firm handshake style as he moved quickly down an endless reception line, playing traditional music in the background and greeting nearly 60 different individuals at once – drawing wide attention online and prompting comical reactions among viewers.
Many commentators noted the symbolic weight of this momentous encounter as its gesture-rich encounter emphasized Saudi Arabia’s efforts to receive Trump with full royal honors. The handshake session took place as part of a larger ceremony featuring an elaborate reception, sword dance performance and signing a record-setting arms deal between their countries – all included within one ceremony!
“This timelapse reveals more than handshakes: it displays diplomacy in motion,” noted a Middle East analyst from a think tank based in Riyadh. These gestures carry significant meaning in Gulf culture and serve as subtle displays of trust, hospitality, and mutual respect between two parties.
Video footage quickly went viral across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram, with many viewers commenting on Trump’s endurance and hand strength. Some compared the sequence to political red carpet moments while others lauded him for engaging personally with each official in attendance.
While much of Trump’s visit was focused on geopolitical agreements and regional security matters, this lighthearted yet poignant moment reminded audiences about the human element in international diplomacy.
Timelapse video of President Obama’s arrival serves both as an eyewitness record of one of the grandest receptions ever extended to any US president in the Gulf region and as viral curiosity.