Prabowo: If Trump Invites Me to the US, Would I Dare Not Come?

President Prabowo Subianto says he has received numerous invitations to visit abroad from leaders of friendly nations. Prabowo recounted receiving some of these invitations during the credential presentation ceremony for ambassadors of friendly countries on 8-9 June 2026, where 18 ambassadors were present at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. “Almost all of them conveyed invitations from their respective presidents and prime ministers: ‘We hope the President of Indonesia can visit our country.’ Imagine, 18 countries. I’m already exhausted just thinking about the flights,” Prabowo said during a speech in Lampung on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, as broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat. According to the General Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Indonesia is a non-aligned country that maintains good relations with various nations. He said Indonesia is currently liked and sought after by other countries because it is known for not wanting to have enemies. Therefore, he considers it natural for a president to receive many invitations abroad. “This is the risk of a country that has many friends,” Prabowo stated. He said Indonesia is also a member of many international organisations, such as APEC, the OIC, BRICS, and the G20. Because of this, he feels obliged to fulfil invitations from other heads of state to maintain good relations. President Prabowo claimed that every overseas trip is to defend the interests of the Indonesian people. He also addressed those who frequently question the frequency of his trips abroad, calling them people who “act as if they are smarter than everyone else.” The former Defence Minister noted there are invitations he cannot refuse, citing as an example an invitation from a superpower leader like United States President Donald Trump. “Now, if a superpower country, let’s say President Trump, invites me to America, would I dare not come? Huh? If the US President invites and the Indonesian President does not attend, huh? Just try it,” Prabowo remarked. Having fulfilled an invitation from the United States, he said he automatically must also accept invitations to visit other major powers. “If the American President invites, the Russian President invites too. I show up in Washington, but I don’t show up in Moscow? That’s not possible, brothers and sisters,” he said. “After that, I’m invited again by President Xi Jinping of China, so I attend. Is that permissible? Then invited by India. India has a population of 1.4 billion people, a large market, and great technology. Brazil is the same,” Prabowo continued. The intensity of Prabowo’s overseas visits has previously drawn scrutiny from various parties, including the founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, Dino Patti Djalal, who offered advice for President Prabowo to reduce his overseas travel. The former Deputy Foreign Minister noted that since taking office as president, Prabowo has spent one out of every six days abroad, making it unsurprising that some have called the frequency of these official overseas trips unusual.