U.S. President Donald Trump has once again become the internet’s favourite meme subject — this time for his clueless conduct during an official visit to Japan, where he appeared unsure of basic diplomatic protocol during a ceremonial welcome.

In a viral video circulating on social media, Trump is seen alongside Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, inspecting a Guard of Honour in Tokyo on Tuesday. The clip, which has sparked a wave of memes online, shows a visibly confused Trump fumbling through the formalities of the event

Awkward moments caught on camera

The video begins with Trump raising his hand in salute to the ceremonial guards — only to quickly lower it mid-motion, apparently realising the gesture was out of place. Moments later, as PM Takaichi paused at a designated point, Trump continued walking ahead, seemingly lost in thought.

The Japanese leader, momentarily taken aback, was seen glancing in surprise at the U.S. President before hurrying to catch up with him.

The confusion didn’t end there. When a guard signalled the direction Trump was supposed to take toward the dais, he missed the cue once again and walked straight ahead instead of turning. It took another polite gesture from Takaichi before he corrected his course and joined her on the platform for the national anthems.

Internet reacts with memes

Social media users have been quick to draw parallels between Trump’s blunders and Joe Biden’s verbal gaffes during his presidency. The incident has inspired a flood of memes, GIFs, and commentary, with users joking that the “Trump show” is back — and “the sequel is even better.”

Trump, 79, is currently on a three-day state visit to Japan, where he is expected to discuss regional security, trade, and U.S.-Japan defense cooperation.

Pattern of gaffes continues

This is not the first time Trump’s public behaviour has made headlines. Just days earlier, he incorrectly claimed that India gets a new prime minister every year, and on another occasion, mixed up India with Iran while discussing his past tariff policies.

Trump’s repeated slips have reignited concerns about his mental sharpness, with psychologists suggesting visible decline in his motor coordination and memory recall.

In a recent podcast, Dr. John Gartner, a U.S. psychologist, claimed he noticed signs of possible early-stage dementia in Trump’s speech and gestures. The White House, however, has dismissed such speculation, maintaining that the President “exhibits no signs of memory loss.”

A diplomatic visit, a viral moment

Despite the blunders, officials from both sides have downplayed the incident, calling it a “light-hearted moment” during an otherwise cordial visit.

For social media, though, it was pure gold.
As one user on X quipped, “When you mix Air Force One with The Office, you get Trump in Tokyo.”