If you’ve been following the headlines, you’ll know that United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Malaysia from 23 to 28 October 2025 to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit. The event will be held in Kuala Lumpur and, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the city centre will be under complete lockdown for security reasons. “The police will not compromise on safety,” he assured during a press conference.
The summit promises to be a grand gathering of global leaders. Alongside President Trump, attendees are expected to include Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Cyprus and Finland are also joining as ASEAN dialogue partners, with their respective leaders, President Nikos Christodoulides and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, in attendance. The list doesn’t stop there: Chinese President Xi Jinping may make an appearance, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah have all confirmed their participation. Regional leaders such as Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto, Singapore’s Lawrence Wong, and the Philippines’ Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will also be present, ensuring quite the diplomatic spectacle.
Now, in true Trump fashion, no visit would be complete without a bit of personal flair. To celebrate his arrival, we’ve crafted a special itinerary for the President, inspired by his most frequently used words.
According to an analysis by TIME magazine, which reviewed transcripts of 92 of Trump’s public events and every White House briefing from his first 100 days in office, certain words and phrases popped up more often than others. With the help of AI tools such as Voyant Tools, ChatGPT, Gemini, Riverside, and Python, they have identified the linguistic trademarks that define Trump’s rhetoric.
So, armed with data and a sense of humour, we’ve designed a Malaysia visit that would feel right at home in Trump’s vocabulary. From ‘tremendous’ meals to ‘beautiful’ photo ops, this itinerary is sure to make his stay in Kuala Lumpur the best visit yet.
A Malaysia itinerary for President Donald Trump based on his favourite words
China: Feast on an authentic Chinese spread at Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s ‘Chynna’
During his stay in Malaysia, President Donald Trump should definitely indulge his well-documented fascination with China — this time through his taste buds. At Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s Chynna, he can enjoy a feast of refined Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine, where the art of dim sum meets the precision of a traditional herbal apothecary. Under the guidance of celebrity chef Lam Hock Hin, the kitchen serves dishes so exquisite that even Trump might call them ‘tremendous’. Signature plates such as Peking duck will take centre stage, while the restaurant’s tea master pairs each course with the perfect brew. A dinner like this could easily spark a new kind of diplomacy, one served with jasmine tea and a side of spring rolls.
Huge: Explore IOI City Mall, Malaysia’s ‘huge’-est shopping destination
There’s no better place for President Trump to experience what ‘huge’ truly means than IOI City Mall in Putrajaya. After its massive expansion in 2022, it officially became the largest shopping mall in Malaysia, covering more than 2.5 million square feet. Inside, he’ll find endless luxury shops, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and even a theme park. It’s the kind of place where ‘bigger is better’ feels like an architectural philosophy. If Trump ever wanted to build another tower, this might just be the inspiration, a mall so vast, he could probably fit Mar-a-Lago inside.
History: Dive deep into Malaysia’s rich ‘history’ at the National Museum (Muzium Negara)
To get a proper understanding of Malaysia’s journey, President Trump should make his way to Muzium Negara, the nation’s proud National Museum. The grand building, designed in traditional Malay architectural style, houses centuries of history, from prehistoric times to modern Malaysia. Restored and upgraded in 2008, it offers interactive exhibits that even the most impatient visitor would find engaging. Built on the site of the original Selangor Museum, which was destroyed during World War II, Muzium Negara stands as a symbol of resilience and rebirth. It’s the perfect spot for the President to reflect on history, or perhaps declare it ‘the greatest museum ever built, believe me’.
Enemies: Sing along to Post Malone’s ‘Enemies’ at A Quiet Place KL
When diplomacy gets tiring, what better way for Trump to unwind than by belting out Enemies by Post Malone at one of Kuala Lumpur’s trendiest karaoke spots, A Quiet Place? Situated in Bukit Bintang, this 17,000-square-foot entertainment haven combines karaoke, live music, and mini recording studios under one roof. With its sleek design and top-tier sound system, it’s perfect for unleashing your inner rock star. Each room even comes with complimentary snacks and drinks, ideal fuel for a night of ‘very, very beautiful singing’.
American: Satisfy homesickness with the best ‘American’ BBQ at Craf Roasters BBQ
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If President Trump finds himself missing home, Craf Roasters BBQ will fix that faster than you can say ‘Make ribs great again’. Famous for its smoky, tender American-style barbecue, the restaurant has earned high praise from fellow American travel creator Terry Pernell. From slow-cooked ribs to juicy brisket, it’s comfort food that would remind any American of backyard barbecues and Fourth of July celebrations. It’s the perfect place for Trump to sit back, enjoy a hearty meal, and perhaps even discuss trade over a rack of ribs.
Best: Sip cocktails at Penrose, Malaysia’s ‘best’ bar
No itinerary would be complete without a toast to success, and there’s no better venue for that than Penrose, that’s officially crowned Malaysia’s best bar for two years running. Ranked No. 10 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, Penrose is the brainchild of Jon Lee, whose sleek bar in Petaling Street is the definition of modern sophistication. With delicious cocktails and meticulous craftsmanship, it’s easy to see why this place has earned global recognition. After a few expertly mixed drinks, perhaps Trump could be convinced to pop by Lee’s latest venture, Lavantha, for the perfect nightcap.
Beautiful: Take a trip to Langkawi, one of Malaysia’s most ‘beautiful’ islands
To round off his Malaysian adventure, President Trump should jet off to Langkawi — one of Asia’s most beautiful islands, recently ranked second on a 2025 list of the continent’s top island destinations. With its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and panoramic views from the famous Sky Cab, Langkawi is nothing short of paradise. It’s also a duty-free haven, which means the President can enjoy a bit of shopping without worrying about tariffs.
(Hero and feature images credit: Instagram/ @realdonaldtrump)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
