Trump Welcomes Xi Jinping with Military Flyover and Red Carpet

President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews with a formal ceremony including a red carpet rollout and a flyover of B-1 bombers. The arrival marks the beginning of a three-day state visit, mirroring the treatment Trump received in Beijing in May. The ceremony included a military band and the presentation of a 100-foot-long red carpet, which briefly required adjustment by workers as Chinese officials observed. Trump notably winced at the roar of the B-1 bombers during the flyover, while Xi remained stoic. The welcome is the first of its kind for a world leader in over eleven years, and has drawn criticism from some Republicans who view Xi’s government as oppressive.

The event evoked a similar ceremony hosted by Barack Obama in 2015 for Pope Francis. Ironically, Trump previously criticized Obama for providing Xi with a ‘full honors ceremony’ in 2012. Senator Roger Wicker, a Republican, expressed concern about the lavish welcome extended to a ‘brutal, unelected and oppressive dictator.’ The White House has not responded to these criticisms. Though details of the initial exchange between the two leaders were inaudible, the meeting signals a continuation of diplomatic efforts between the two nations. The first lady Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan, the first lady of China, also attended the welcome ceremony.

Where they differ

• The Washington Examiner emphasized the detail of workers smoothing out the red carpet as Chinese officials watched.
• The Daily Mail highlighted Trump’s past criticism of Obama for a similar welcome ceremony for Xi in 2012, and noted Trump’s visible reaction to the flyover.
• BBC News focused on unpacking the pomp and pageantry of the welcome, providing broader context.

What is not yet known

• The content of the initial remarks exchanged between Trump and Xi remains unknown.
• The full extent of Senator Wicker’s concerns and the White House’s response are not detailed.

Background

• President Donald Trump hosted a state visit for Pope Francis in 2015, mirroring the treatment now extended to Xi Jinping [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-21].
• Prior to this visit, Trump criticized Barack Obama for providing Xi Jinping with a ‘full honors ceremony’ in 2012 [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-21].
• The United States and China have been engaged in diplomatic efforts focused on artificial intelligence safety, with a proposed communication mechanism discussed recently [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-21].
• China experienced a deadly fire aboard a cargo ship in Qingdao in September, prompting Xi Jinping to call for improved safety measures [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-10].

Our reading

Our reading is that the ceremony is a deliberate display of diplomatic signaling by President Trump, despite internal criticism. The mirroring of the 2015 Obama visit and the explicit connection to the previously criticized 2012 event suggest a conscious effort to project a specific image of US-China relations, prioritizing engagement over confrontation. The contrast between Trump’s reaction to the flyover and Xi’s stoicism, while noted, appears secondary to the overall spectacle.

What to watch

• The content of the initial remarks exchanged between Trump and Xi, when released, may reveal the tone and priorities of the discussions [unspecified source].
• Senator Wicker’s full statement and any response from the White House would indicate the level of Republican opposition to this approach [congressional records/White House press briefings].
• Any changes to the Kennedy Center renovation plans, as reported to the court by September 23, could signal a shift in the administration’s leverage tactics [court filings].

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