You'd think, following a month of devastating missile exchanges in the Middle East, some of which have killed US soldiers, that Donald Trump would have a number of pressing matters on his plate.
On Monday (23 Mar), however, he spent the day in Memphis, Tennessee, enjoying a private tour of Elvis Presley's former home.
The President paid an impromptu visit to Graceland, the mansion and 13.8-acre estate where the late 'King of Rock n' Rock' once lived. Presley is also buried there, along with his parents, Vernon and Gladys, his grandmother, Minnie Mae, his grandson, Benjamin and his daughter, Lisa Marie.
Trump had attended a law enforcement roundtable earlier in the day, where he discussed plans to tackle crime within Memphis, but seemingly couldn't resist stopping by to honour one of his favourite national treasures.
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In footage from his personalised tour, the Republican frontman could be heard gushing over Presley, gloating: “I knew Frank Sinatra, I knew most of them.
"Unfortunately, I never met Elvis. That would be one that I would have liked a lot. I do like his music."
Trump, 79, who was born 11 years after the musician, went on to claim: "All my life I have heard about Graceland. I was around with Elvis in his semi-prime, at least, right?"
During another segment of the tour, he learned that Presley had actually been born with blonde hair, but had dyed it darker to enhance his features.
"Really? I didn’t know. That’s great," the golden-haired right-wing leader smiled.
Trump's public appearance occurring at such a critical time in global warfare has sparked some concerns, however, especially given that 13 members of the US military have died following the assault he and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu launched upon Iran last month.
Quoting fans of the footage, one social media critic hit out: "'Only Trump would do an impromptu Elvis tour', most presidents who just started a war would have better things to do."
Mocking him, another hit out: "This cracks me up. Trump is always chill no matter what is going on."
"Amid everything, Don Snorleone is touring Elvis's house. You can't make this stuff up," a third added. "Bombs are flying all over the Middle East, and he's taking a walk through a dead man's house."
Another wrote: "Trump is playing the tourist; the American people do not pay him to take tours, while the nation is at war, and our brave men and women are dying and fighting.
"Our economy is crashing, oil is skyrocketing, and food prices are soaring."
A fifth continued: "We’re at war, in crucial peace talks (not really) …so yes, Trump is the only POTUS who would do that BS to us."
"In the midst of war, negotiations, oil prices, 401k drops, Americans dying, no healthcare plan and he’s f*****g SIGHTSEEING," added another.
The controversy came just hours after Trump claimed he'd postponed strikes on Iran for five days following 'productive talks' with the country's leaders.
"I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST," he wrote on Truth Social on Monday.
"BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS."
Sources in Tehran were quick to contradict Trump's message, however, insisting he'd been forced to 'back down'.
According to Sky News, several members of the Iranian embassy in Kabul claimed the American leader had stood down after receiving a 'firm warning' from those in charge.
They wrote online that Trump had retreated in response to threats from Iran to 'target the energy infrastructure of the entire region'.
Iranian Fars reporters also cited a political source, who claimed that no direct communication had taken place between the US and Iran, nor through intermediaries, refuting Trump's claim that 'very good' conversations had been had.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, Iran, News
Rhianna Benson