Trump Welcomed Xi with Military Honors on State Visit

President Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping with an elaborate welcome upon his arrival in Washington D.C. for a three-day state visit. In a departure from precedent, Trump personally greeted Xi on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, complete with a military flyover and a 100ft (30m) red carpet. Trump has publicly expressed admiration for strong leaders and prepared for the visit by ensuring a new marble helipad was ready and lamenting the unfinished state of the White House ballroom. The BBC reports Trump has anticipated Xi’s visit for months, while France24 notes this is the first time a US president has greeted a visiting leader on the tarmac.

Trump’s preparations for the visit included ensuring a new marble helipad was ready to showcase to Xi. The BBC’s North America Editor, Sarah Smith, explains Trump has long made no secret of his admiration for strongman leaders around the world. France24 highlights that Trump personally greeted Xi on the tarmac, a first for a US president.

No right-leaning outlet reported this story.

Background

• President Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for leaders he deems “strong,” and has previously criticized Barack Obama for similar treatment of Xi Jinping in 2012 [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-24].
• Trump recently inaugurated a new marble helipad at the White House, specifically mentioning his anticipation of showcasing it to Xi Jinping [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-21].
• The US and China are engaged in ongoing discussions regarding artificial intelligence safety, with the US proposing a communication mechanism to address potential risks [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-21].
• Trump has a history of restricting media access, most recently resulting in a temporary court order restoring press passes to CNN, MS NOW, and Politico [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-24].

Our reading

Our reading is that President Trump is deliberately signaling a prioritization of the relationship with China, demonstrated through an unusually lavish welcome for Xi Jinping. The level of personal involvement, greeting Xi on the tarmac and focusing on showcasing new infrastructure, suggests a desire to cultivate a positive personal dynamic. The lack of coverage from right-leaning outlets, coupled with Trump’s broader pattern of restricting critical media access, further highlights a selective approach to information dissemination surrounding this visit.

What to watch

• Whether the US and China finalize and implement the proposed AI safety communication mechanism by the end of the three-day visit [US State Department website].
• If any right-leaning outlets begin to report on the Xi Jinping visit, and if their coverage mirrors the tone of other outlets [Media Bias/Fact Check].
• The status of the White House ballroom renovations, and whether Trump publicly comments on its completion during or after the visit [White House official statements].

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