Trump, Cabinet members join in traditional Saudi sword dance
President Trump and members of his administration who traveled to Saudi Arabia took part in a traditional ardah sword dance.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross were spotted linking arms with other Saudi performers during the ceremonial dance. According to videos and reports, Trump joined the dance and was swaying and smiling.
The dance took place outside the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, The Associated Press reported, before a banquet dinner for Trump and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman at Murabba Palace in Riyadh.
Tillerson dances at dinner for POTUS and King Salman in Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/vfhqbvOAGb
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 20, 2017
Trump dancing the “Ardha,” traditional dance of peace after war. Saudis chanting: “We thank god things came that we had wished for.” https://t.co/aMCqyacfVo
— devindwyer (@devindwyer) May 20, 2017
{mosads}
The festive gathering was part of the extravagant welcome for Trump, his family and senior administration officials during Trump’s first foreign trip as president.
Hours earlier, Trump received the country’s highest civilian honor, the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal.
Trump and King Salman also signed of a pledge to “counter violent extremism, disrupt the financing of terrorism and advance defense cooperation” and a pledge to bolster arms sales worth nearly $110 billion.
VIDEO: #Trump takes part in traditional ardha dance in Saudi Arabia.
Read the full story here: https://t.co/hQGZDCJ8L0 pic.twitter.com/RYHcOX8f0a— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) May 20, 2017
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