Why did Donald Trump refuse Saudi coffee? What about McDonald's?

Saudi Arabia may have rolled out a mobile McDonald’s van to accommodate US President Donald Trump's culinary preferences, but the former president appeared less enthusiastic about sampling traditional Saudi coffee during his visit to Riyadh on Tuesday.

Upon arriving at Riyadh International Airport, Trump was welcomed with a ceremonial finjan, a small Arabic coffee cup, as part of the kingdom's traditional hospitality.

As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stood beside him, Trump set the cup aside and continued their conversation without taking a sip.

In another video filmed later at al-Yamamah Palace, Trump is again offered coffee. This time, he holds the cup while speaking, but it's unclear whether he drinks it.

The moment sparked discussion on social media, as Arabic coffee is deeply symbolic in Saudi culture as a gesture of warmth, respect, and friendship. Turning it down, even politely, can be interpreted by some as a slight.

"Trump doesn’t want coffee, he wants money!" an X user posted.

Others came to his defence, sharing footage showing Trump eventually taking a small sip of the coffee.

"To all those whose hearts are filled with malice and hatred... a cup of coffee cannot undermine the prestige of a nation or detract from Arab hospitality," another X user wrote in a widely shared post.

Trump's hesitation may stem from personal reasons. He has publicly stated that he avoids coffee, alcohol, and smoking, saying his choices were shaped by the death of his brother Fred, who struggled with addiction.

The president's well-known preference for fast food also came into focus. A McDonald's van was spotted in Riyadh, reportedly deployed for Trump's visit.

Image of the van circulated widely on social media, and a White House official later confirmed to Fox News that it was indeed arranged for Trump as part of his visit.