In a moment that defied much of his political history, President Donald Trump on Thursday made what appeared to be his first-ever visit to a mosque as president, removing his shoes in accordance with Islamic custom as he toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
As reported by The Washington Post, the gesture stood out for a leader whose political identity has long been tied to anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies — including a proposed “Muslim ban” during his 2016 campaign and controversial comments linking Islam to terrorism. Yet here in the United Arab Emirates, Trump appeared to embrace unfamiliar cultural norms in pursuit of deepening strategic and economic ties.
“Isn’t this beautiful? It is so beautiful,” Trump said while admiring the mosque’s marble colonnades and intricate floral inlays. “Very proud of my friends. This is an incredible culture.”
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest, was reportedly closed for the day in Trump’s honor — a rare move that the president interpreted as a tribute to the United States rather than to himself. “Let’s give it to the country,” he said. “That’s a great tribute.”
The visit highlighted Trump’s willingness to shift tone when financial or diplomatic interests are at stake. His Middle East tour, which included meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Gulf leaders, has been filled with lavish ceremonies and personal flattery. Trump gushed over regional leaders, calling the Saudi prince “an incredible man” and referring to both him and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as “tall, handsome guys that happen to be very smart.”
The mosque visit marked a stark contrast with Trump’s previous remarks about Islam. During his presidency and campaign, Trump frequently made inflammatory statements, such as, “I think Islam hates us,” and suggested closing U.S. mosques. He also spearheaded the discredited “birther” conspiracy that falsely claimed President Barack Obama was not born in the United States, often emphasizing Obama’s middle name, Hussein, to stoke suspicion among his base.
The Washington Post noted that unlike past presidents — such as George W. Bush, who visited a Washington mosque after 9/11, or Obama, who spoke at the Islamic Society of Baltimore — Trump had not made similar gestures during his presidency until now. Joe Biden, while not visiting a mosque as president, toured the same Abu Dhabi mosque during his vice presidency in 2016.
Despite this recent outreach, Trump has continued to make contentious statements. Just days ago, aboard Air Force One, he referred to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as having “become a Palestinian,” a comment many viewed as dismissive and inflammatory amid heightened tensions in Gaza.
Nevertheless, Trump’s tone in Abu Dhabi struck a more diplomatic chord. His remarks at the mosque and during a tour of the Emirati presidential palace were laced with admiration for the local culture and leadership. Standing beneath chandeliers in marbled hallways alongside Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, he once again praised the Gulf’s transformation efforts. “It’s an amazing culture,” he repeated.
Observers say the visit underscores the transactional nature of Trump’s foreign policy — deeply pragmatic when deals are on the line. “The trip to the mosque showed how flexible Trump can be,” The Washington Post wrote, “highlighting the tension between that appetite for deals and some of his other policies.”
While the long-term significance of the mosque visit remains unclear, the moment was rich in symbolism: a U.S. president known for anti-Muslim rhetoric quietly walking, shoeless, through one of Islam’s most revered spaces, seeking not confrontation, but connection.
