Trump's Xi Welcome Backfires: Red Carpet and Outfit Draw Mockery
US President Donald Trump's elaborate welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews backfired, drawing widespread mockery online instead of the intended pomp. Videos showed Trump grimacing from jet noise while Xi stood impassive, and his outfit sparked ridicule. Trump wore black gloves with his coat despite 18-degree Celsius temperatures, prompting speculation he was hiding bruises. Critics also slammed the red carpet as excessive deference, with Senator Elizabeth Warren and others accusing him of fawning over Xi, similar to his treatment of Vladimir Putin. The unusual personal airport greeting, a rare honor, also drew satire when US soldiers knelt to smooth the carpet as the Chinese delegation watched. One X user joked, "Xi WINping," suggesting China was winning a new Cold War.