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Trump’s ceremony for Xi draws bipartisan criticism
Donald Trump greeted Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews before a scheduled White House welcome, with the high-profile reception criticised by members of both parties.
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Event
Trump startled by fighter jet during Xi state visit
US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday and is due to host him at the White House on Thursday. The welcome has drawn criticism from Democrats and Republicans.
2 published stories · security · source reliability 33%
Background
Why this event matters
Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, ahead of a scheduled White House welcome on Thursday. France 24 described the arrival greeting as unusual. The ceremony drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans, though the supplied material does not identify the critics or their objections. A separate report said Trump appeared startled by fighter-jet noise during the welcome. A state dinner and discussions on trade, AI, Taiwan and the war in Iran were reported as planned or expected; the material does not confirm what took place.
event-brief
Trump startled by fighter jet during Xi state visit
Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, ahead of a scheduled White House welcome on Thursday. France 24 described the arrival greeting as unusual. The ceremony drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans, though the supplied materia
Reporting trail
France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260924-why-is-trump-rolling-out-the-red-carpet-for-china-s-xi | published 2026-09-24T13:11:09.000Z | primary sourceFrance 24 International, “Why is Trump rolling out the red carpet for China’s Xi?” | Main source for the welcome, schedule and reported criticism.Event digest | Summarises the welcome and bipartisan criticism.Retrieved context: SAME_EVENT and HISTORICAL_CONTEXT | Provides related jet-noise report and qualified visit background.France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/donald-trump-startled-by-the-sound-of-a-fighter-jet | published 2026-09-24T11:03:29.000Z | primary sourceFrance 24 source | Reports the jet noise and Trump’s apparent reaction during Xi’s welcome ceremony.Event digest | Concise summary of the reported event.Retrieved historical context | Provides visit and ceremony background; does not confirm the aircraft’s identity.
Fact cards
entity brief
Trump startled by fighter jet during Xi state visit: key people and institutions
Key entities: Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Joint Base Andrews, Washington.
faq brief
Trump startled by fighter jet during Xi state visit: key questions
Where did Trump greet Xi? At Joint Base Andrews. When was Xi due at the White House? Thursday, 24 September 2026. What criticism did the welcome prompt? Criticism from Democrats and Republicans; the supplied material gives no names or details. Which topics were expected to featur
source brief
Trump startled by fighter jet during Xi state visit: reporting sources
France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260924-why-is-trump-rolling-out-the-red-carpet-for-china-s-xi | published 2026-09-24T13:11:09.000Z | primary source | France 24 International, “Why is Trump rolling out the red carpet for China’s Xi?” | Main source for
timeline brief
Trump startled by fighter jet during Xi state visit: timeline
2026-09-23 (Wednesday): Trump welcomed Xi at Joint Base Andrews; a separate report noted Trump’s reaction to fighter-jet noise. 2026-09-24 (Thursday): Trump was due to host Xi at the White House; a state dinner was announced, and several discussion topics were expected.
Timeline
2026-09-23 (Wednesday)
Trump welcomed Xi at Joint Base Andrews; a separate report noted Trump’s reaction to fighter-jet noise.
2026-09-24 (Thursday)
Trump was due to host Xi at the White House; a state dinner was announced, and several discussion topics were expected.
FAQ
Where did Trump greet Xi?
At Joint Base Andrews.
When was Xi due at the White House?
Thursday, 24 September 2026.
What criticism did the welcome prompt?
Criticism from Democrats and Republicans; the supplied material gives no names or details.
Which topics were expected to feature in talks?
Trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and the war in Iran; the material does not confirm they were discussed.
Where did the welcome ceremony take place?
At Joint Base Andrews near Washington.
How long was Xi’s US visit?
Three days.
Was the jet heard in the footage identified?
The available source material does not identify the aircraft.
Was the sound confirmed to be from the military flyover?
No. The material mentions a flyover but does not link it to the sound.