Trump hosts Xi amid 'communist' jabs at Democrats

President Donald Trump is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit this week, even as he campaigns for November's midterm elections by branding Democrats as communists. The visit highlights contradictions between Trump's rhetoric and his actions toward the world's most powerful communist nation. Trump has repeatedly called Democrats communists, citing primary wins by democratic socialists, while his administration has taken government stakes in over 30 private companies, including Intel and Westinghouse. Critics, including Republican Sen. Rand Paul, have noted these moves resemble socialist economic policies, though Trump defends them as beneficial deals. Trump has bragged about his close relationship with Xi, building a White House helipad for the visit and recalling his admiration for China's leader. He previously criticized Obama for hosting Xi in 2015, but has since shifted his tone, despite briefly accusing China of election meddling in a July speech.