US military adjusts red carpet for Xi Jinping’s arrival at Joint Base Andrews

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in the United States on Wednesday, September 24, 2026, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the ministry’s protocol chief Hong Lei, and other Chinese delegation members for a high-profile, three-day state visit focused on bilateral talks regarding trade, artificial intelligence, and international relations. However, one 12-second clip of US military personnel has become the highlight of the event. The clip shows uniformed US military personnel on their hands and knees making last-minute adjustments to a red carpet as the Chinese President lands in the US.Just when you thought Trump could not possibly humiliate himself and America any further, he put the United States military on its hands and knees to buff the red carpet so Xi wouldn't get dust on his shoes. pic.twitter.com/nzD1Eq2XWI— Bill Madden (@maddenifico) September 24, 2026 Video of red carpet adjustments sparks backlashOn Thursday, September 24, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the US with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the ministry’s protocol chief Hong Lei, and other Chinese delegation members for a high-profile, three-day state visit. Amid his arrival, one video of US military personnel sparked backlash online. A video showing US military personnel on their hands and knees making last-minute adjustments to a red carpet as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived. The 12-second clip, which circulated widely on social media, captured several service members hurriedly smoothing and cleaning the 30-metre (98 feet) carpet moments before Xi emerged from his aircraft."HUMILIATING: Trump had U.S. service members on their knees cleaning the red carpet for China’s President Xi, then went to greet him at the airport, something Xi didn’t even do for Trump in China.Trump isn’t putting America First. He’s putting America on its knees." pic.twitter.com/VCZ69FNRcz— #Anonymous (@TheStripesGirl) September 24, 2026 Chinese officials watch operationThe 12-second clip shows US soldiers rolling out a red carpet for China’s President Xi as he lands at the US's Joint Base Andrews. Chinese officials – including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the ministry’s protocol chief Hong Lei – can be seen watching the operation from the aircraft doorway.Several users criticised the scene, questioning why US military personnel were involved in arranging the carpet for a foreign head of state. One social media post described the moment as “freaking shameful”.First US state visit by a Chinese President in 11 years Trump Xi in DC pic.twitter.com/X32fLxDZh4— Susan Li (@SusanLiTV) September 23, 2026 Bill Madden said, "Just when you thought Trump could not possibly humiliate himself and America any further, he put the United States military on its hands and knees to buff the red carpet so Xi wouldn't get dust on his shoes."Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot and Democratic Party politician from Kentucky, commented that US service members did not “swear an oath to be props in some authoritarian ego-stroking spectacle”.Trump delivers lavish welcomePresident Donald Trump delivered an unusually lavish welcome. It is rare for a US President to greet a foreign leader plane-side at Joint Base Andrews. Before that, 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy travelled to the base to meet British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan as he landed. The ceremony included military flyovers by two B-1 Lancer bombers, a 21-gun salute, military flyovers, and a formal White House arrival ceremony. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally greeted Xi and Peng Liyuan on the tarmac.Chinese President Xi arrived in the USA to a grand welcome. The USA president received him, breaking the protocol. pic.twitter.com/5eCp6ULRz9— Sagar STORM (@AlexAllone1) September 24, 2026 Xi Jinping's 'Poker Face' Meets Donald Trump's Smirk As B-1 Bombers Soar Into Skies At Joint Base Andrews - VIDEOXi Jinping, China’s president and general secretary of the Communist Party of China, has been at the centre of intense diplomatic and geopolitical discussions involving Washington and Beijing. The two countries have significant disagreements over trade, technology, Taiwan, security, and other issues, while maintaining diplomatic engagement.

A video clip showing uniformed US military personnel on their hands and knees making last-minute adjustments to a red carpet has gone viral online, as President Donald Trump rolled out a lavish welcome for his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews. The 12-second clip, which circulated widely on US social media, captured several service members hurriedly smoothing and cleaning the 30-metre (98 feet) carpet moments before Xi emerged from his aircraft. Chinese officials – including...