Trump welcomes Xi at Joint Base Andrews with military honors
Donald Trump personally greeted Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at Joint Base Andrews as Xi began a state visit to the United States. The welcome included national anthems, a 21-gun salute and a military flyover; reports also noted Trump’s visible reaction to the aircraft and Xi’s relative composure.
Key points
- Trump’s personal airport welcome was described as unusual, and the ceremony combined formal honors with a prominent military display.
Evidence · 3 source statements
As Xi arrived at the military base just outside Washington on Thursday, he was greeted with a ceremony that included the US Air Force band playing the American and Chinese…
- Reports described Trump as flinching or ducking during the flyover, while Xi showed little physical reaction.
Evidence · 4 source statements
Trump, who was saluting, ducked, gritted his teeth, turned his head to look at the aircraft, and lowered his salute in front of reporters and cameramen.
In contrast, Xi’s gaze followed the bomber to the right as it flew by, revealing minimal physical reaction.
Who's involved
Donald Trump
He welcomed Xi and spoke to him during the ceremony.
Trump remarked to Xi that the flyover was really loud. He later described Xi as strong, vibrant, fit and better than ever.
What they said · 2 source statements
“That was really loud”
“I met President Xi at the plane (Airport!) yesterday and he looks strong, vibrant, and fit — Better than ever,”
Chuck Schumer
The U.S. Democratic Party leader criticized the welcome.
Schumer criticized Trump for giving a foreign authoritarian a red-carpet welcome.
What they said · 1 source statement
If you’re a foreign authoritarian, Trump won’t just invite you to visit America, he’ll roll out the red carpet for you…
What was reported
- Xi arrived at Joint Base Andrews for a state visit, and Trump personally greeted him and Peng Liyuan.
Reported independently by 3: NDTV, NPR, South China Morning Post
Evidence · 3 source statements
His announcement was posted shortly after Xi’s arrival at Joint Base Andrews for a three-day state visit
personally greeting Xi and his wife on Wednesday as they arrived at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington
The dinner came after the president took the unusual step of personally greeting Xi and his wife on Wednesday as they arrived at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington.
- The ceremony included the U.S. and Chinese national anthems, a 21-gun salute and a military flyover. One account also described a guard of honor and displays by six F-16s and six F-22s.
Reported independently by 3: South China Morning Post, Xinhua, teleSUR English
Evidence · 3 source statements
The welcome ceremony also included a 21-gun salute, the playing of the national anthems of both countries and a military flyover.
The arrival ceremony featured a 21-gun salute and the national anthems of the United States and China.
As Xi arrived at the military base just outside Washington on Thursday, he was greeted with a ceremony that included the US Air Force band playing the American and Chinese…
- Two B-1 bombers flew over the ceremony. Reports said Trump ducked, gritted his teeth or flinched; one account said Xi followed a bomber with his gaze but showed minimal physical reaction.
Reported independently by 2: South China Morning Post, Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 4 source statements
As Xi arrived at the military base just outside Washington on Thursday, he was greeted with a ceremony that included the US Air Force band playing the American and Chinese…
Trump, who was saluting, ducked, gritted his teeth, turned his head to look at the aircraft, and lowered his salute in front of reporters and cameramen.
In contrast, Xi’s gaze followed the bomber to the right as it flew by, revealing minimal physical reaction.
- Trump told Xi that the flyover was really loud.
One source: South China Morning Post
Evidence · 1 source statement
“That was really loud”
Not heard from
- Xi Jinping — He was the visiting leader at the center of the event, but no statement from him about the welcome appears in the reports’ claims.
- Peng Liyuan — She arrived with Xi and was greeted by Trump, but no statement from her appears in the reports’ claims.