President Trump said he felt a warm welcome on his recent foreign trip. He pointed to meetings, gifts, and big photo ops as proof the trip went well.
The swing included stops in Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. Those stops featured state ceremonies, official talks, and a highly staged presentation of a large gold crown.
On Air Force One, the president walked reporters through the visit. He rattled off meetings and outcomes before taking questions and heading back to Florida.
He kept the message plain and loud.
“Our country’s respected again!” he told reporters, and he repeated the point for emphasis.
He also tied the praise to how he was treated.
“When they treat me with that kind of respect, they’re treating our country with that kind of respect, which is much more important.”
The trip mixed deals and drama. There were trade talks and defense talks, plus the sort of pageant moments that travel writers love to note.
Supporters cheered the optics and the talking points.
They called the scenes proof the president had won new ground and new partners.
Critics were not impressed by the gloss alone.
They warned that photo ops do not replace detailed follow up and real agreements. “A total shocker,” one skeptic wrote. “You can’t make this up,” read another. “Ask the experts,” added a third.
White House staff called the trip a reset. They said the tone with foreign leaders will help bargaining at home and abroad.
Analysts urged a calmer read. They pointed out that state visits can look friendly while thorny issues stay unresolved and require time to fix.
Reporters noted the moments that carry well on TV. From the crown to the smiles, the scenes gave the president clear visuals to use at rallies and in speeches.
Back in Washington, the reaction split along familiar lines.
Some said the trip was a success. Others said the success was mostly sound and light.
Diplomats said visits open doors but do not close deals.
They stressed follow up, concrete texts, and long talks as the real work that comes next.
Featured image via screengrabΒ
