 "Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto talking to US President-elect Donald Trump after arriving in Washington and before meeting President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday. Source: Screengrab | X | @prabowo.")
“Sir”, “sir” and more “sir”, in less than a three-minute phone call with the US President-elect, “sir” seemed to be the catch-word of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto who used it generously while congratulating Donald Trump on his election victory.
Prabowo spoke with Trump over a phone call shortly after landing in Washington on an official visit during which he will also meet with President Joe Biden and “celebrate the 75th anniversary of US-Indonesian relations” as well as “explore ways to strengthen US-Indonesian cooperation.”
Prabowo, who has said he will pursue a non-aligned foreign policy, shared the video of his phone call with the US President-elect on X, in which he even said that he would like to “call personally” on Trump.
“Wherever you are, I’m willing to fly to congratulate you personally, sir,” Prabowo said.
“We’ll do that, anytime you want,” Trump replied.
However, it is not clear whether Prabowo will meet Trump while he’s in Washington, but netizens are left baffled by his calling the US President-elect ‘sir’ multiple times.
“Stop calling him ‘sir’. Are you not the president of Indonesia???” commented a user on Prabowo’s post.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAnother user said, “Why are you talking to him like he’s your boss? I counted you said ‘sir’ at least 40 times.”
Here are a few more comments by netizens on Prabowo’s video post in which he is talking to Trump after his win in the 2024 US Presidential elections.
Prabowo addressed Trump as “sir” at least 20 times in a less-than-a-three-minute call.
Once during the call, Prabowo said, “I will try to call on you at your convenience, sir, if its possible.”
To this Trump replied, “Yes, you call anytime you want. You have my number, this is my number. It will be my great honour to help you.”
Trump acknowledges Prabowo’s linguistic abilities
During the call, Trump also said he was “proud” of Prabowo for doing a “great job” in Indonesia.
Trump also told the Indonesian President was “very respected”.
Trump also praised Prabowo’s English, to which the Indonesian President replied: “All my training is American, sir" as he apparently referenced the officer training he received in the US in the 1980s.
In the conversation, Trump was heard describing his victory in the US elections against Democrat candidate Kamala Harris as amazing, with the people of country giving him a big mandate.
“We had tremendous success. The most successful in over 100 years, they say,” Trump said.
Prabowo expresses shock over assassination attempt on Trump
In the telephone call, Prabowo also expressed shock over the assassination attempt during Trump’s campaign.
Trump replied, “Yes, I got very lucky. I just happened to be in the right place with the right direction, otherwise I wouldn’t be talking to you right now.”