Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Trump and Xi Share Viral Moment During Ceremonial Military Flyover
Xi Jinping visited the United States for three days.
Donald Trump met him at a military airport in Maryland.
This was unusual because American presidents normally greet foreign leaders at the White House.
During the ceremony, two large B-1 bombers flew over the airport.
Trump seemed to react to the loud noise.
Xi kept a mostly unchanged facial expression.
People online compared their reactions and shared videos.
The leaders are expected to talk about trade, technology, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and the Iran war.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at Joint Base Andrews with First Lady Peng Liyuan for a three-day state visit to Washington.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally welcomed Xi and Peng at the Maryland military base.
Two B-1 bombers flew over during the ceremony, while video showed Trump reacting to the aircraft’s roar and Xi remaining largely expressionless.
The welcome featured a 100-foot red carpet, a 21-person honor cordon, and U.S. and Chinese flag teams.
Trump and Xi are expected to discuss trade, tariffs, artificial intelligence, technology, Taiwan, and the Iran war, amid an extended U.S.-China trade truce.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump, Peng Liyuan, and Melania Trump.
- What
- Trump formally welcomed Xi at Joint Base Andrews during a ceremony that included a flyover by two B-1 bombers.
- When
- Wednesday, during Xi’s three-day state visit to Washington; the accompanying social-media post was dated September 23, 2026.
- Where
- Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, followed by Xi’s departure in a motorcade.
- Why
- The visit was intended to support high-level U.S.-China discussions on trade, tariffs, technology, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and the Iran war.
- Location
- Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
- Visit length
- Three days
- Aircraft
- Two B-1 bombers
- Ceremonial details
- A 100-foot red carpet and a 21-person honor cordon
- Diplomatic significance
- The article described Trump’s airport welcome as the first by a U.S. president for a foreign leader since John F. Kennedy welcomed Harold Macmillan in 1962.
- Economic context
- The United States and China agreed to extend their existing trade truce.