Donald Trump’s toe-curling exchange with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye lit up social media on Wednesday.
Faye lavished praise on the U.S. president during a White House meeting with a group of African leaders. He complimented Trump’s leadership skills — and his golf game — and pitched a potential Trump-branded golf course in Senegal.
“I was wondering what your secret was for resolving all these complex crises?” Faye flatteringly asked Trump. “And I know you are a tremendous golf player. Golf requires concentration and precision, qualities that also make for a great leader.”
Then came the harder sell:
“Senegal has exceptional opportunities to offer, including in the area of tourism. So, perhaps an investment could be made in a golf course in Senegal? It would just be six hours by flight from New York, from Miami, from Europe or from the Gulf and that would be an opportunity for you to show off your skills on the golf course too. Thank you for your attention, sir.”
Trump appeared visibly pleased.
“Nice, somewhere to show off my skills,” he replied. “It’s a long trip to show off my skill, but that’s very nice.”
Senegal President: I know you are a tremendous golf player. Golf requires concentration and precision, qualities that also make for a great leader. So, perhaps an investment could be made in a golf course in Senegal.. that would be an opportunity for you to show off your skills… pic.twitter.com/FQ80ndwf6z
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 9, 2025
The moment then got stranger as Trump, in typical fashion, pivoted to off-script commentary about Faye’s appearance.
“He’s led a very interesting life,” Trump said. “He looks like a very young person — he’s a little older than he looks — but a fantastic job. He was treated very unfairly by his government and he prevailed, and so congratulations on that.”
The flattery, sales pitch and awkward Trump monologue raised eyebrows online:
It really shouldn’t be that easy to play someone
— Akash Maniam (@ManiamAkash) July 9, 2025
They got his number.
— Turnbull (@cturnbull1968) July 9, 2025
Any world leader can take advantage of this loser just by complimenting him.
That is a national security risk.
— Dj Omega Mvp (@DjOmegaMVP) July 9, 2025
The entire world now knows our President is a corrupt, egomaniacal man-child who can be bought or flattered into doing what they want or need.
How embarrassing for the US. https://t.co/04uPWTLZmA
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) July 9, 2025
LOL. The art of the “kissing booty” deal.
— Texas Meema (@TexasMeema) July 9, 2025
Great – You are exempt. OK Mauritania what can you give me?
— GroundChuck (@BlueJock) July 9, 2025
My god. Why doesn’t he just bribe Trump by buying his crypto shitcoin instead of this brazen bullshit https://t.co/Jmua1rphLD
— Spiro’s Ghost (@AntiToxicPeople) July 9, 2025
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