U.S. military personnel adjust red carpet for Xi Jinping, sparking criticism from Trump opponents

A video of U.S. military personnel adjusting a red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews sparked outrage Wednesday, with critics calling the scene humiliating. The 12-second clip showed service members on their hands and knees smoothing the carpet as Chinese officials watched. Critics including Amy McGrath and MeidasTouch figures condemned the use of troops for the welcome, calling it an "ego-stroking spectacle" beneath the military. Xi arrived Wednesday for a state visit and talks with Trump. Former Trump aide Sarah Matthews noted the contrast with GOP midterm messaging, saying Republicans attack Democrats as socialists while Trump welcomed a communist leader.