In the bustling markets of Sahiwal, a district in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, a street vendor named Saleem Bagga has become an unexpected local celebrity—not for his cooking skills, but for his uncanny resemblance to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Serving up kheer (a traditional rice pudding), this vendor’s unique look, attributed to his albinism and blonde hair, has turned him into a pudding-pushing doppelgänger.
Social media exploded with photos and videos of the man, whose features and mannerisms are strikingly reminiscent of Trump.
Clad in traditional attire, he stirs his pots and chats with customers, blissfully unaware of his celebrity-like appeal until recently. Now, he’s capitalizing on the attention, charging small fees for selfies and videos with fans who travel far and wide to see him.
From Street Vendor to Internet Star
Bagga, 53, is known for selling traditional South Asian desserts. Initially, he gained attention for peddling kulfi, a type of ice cream, but has since transitioned to selling kheer, a creamy rice pudding.
Pushing his colorful wooden cart through the streets, he not only serves delicious treats but also entertains customers by singing Punjabi songs, adding a melodic charm to his offerings.
Locals have been quick to draw parallels between Bagga and Trump. Mohammad Yaseen, a regular customer, remarked, “We feel as if Trump has come here to sell kheer.”
The man, affectionately nicknamed “Trump Baba” by locals, has been working as a kheer vendor in his small village for years.
But his life changed overnight when a customer snapped a picture of him and shared it online, commenting on his resemblance to the former U.S. leader.
“I didn’t even know who Trump was at first,” he said in an interview.
“People just started coming up to me, asking for photos and saying I look like someone famous.”
Now, lines of curious visitors stretch outside his modest stall, some more interested in selfies than his pudding.
“Trump Baba” has embraced his newfound fame with humor and business savvy.
Customers who pose for photos are encouraged to buy a bowl of kheer, creating a win-win situation. In a country where many street vendors struggle to make ends meet, the selfie-fueled boom has brought him financial stability and a lot of laughs.
“It’s funny, but it’s also helpful,” he said. “People come for the selfies, but they leave with my kheer, and they love it.”
In a lighthearted gesture, Bagga extended an invitation to the real Donald Trump, saying,
“Donald Trump sahib (sir), you have won the election, now visit here and eat my kheer.”
While it’s unlikely that Trump will take him up on the offer, the sentiment underscores Bagga’s good-natured embrace of his unintended doppelgänger status.
In a world where viral sensations can emerge from the unlikeliest places, “Trump Baba” has become a global talking point. Some have compared his sudden rise to that of the “Salt Bae” chef, who turned a simple gesture into an international brand.
The vendor’s story also underscores the internet’s strange fascination with lookalikes. Whether it’s a royal double or a celebrity twin, people are drawn to the novelty of seeing familiar faces in unexpected contexts.
While the resemblance might be purely coincidental, “Trump Baba” has used it to carve out a sweeter future for himself.
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