Trump and Xi Hold Bilateral Talks and White House State Dinner

Government officials, artificial intelligence executives, and corporate leaders gathered inside the White House on Thursday to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit. The high-stakes diplomacy brings together the world’s two largest economic powers as they navigate a monthslong tariff truce, deep technological rivalries, and international friction over Ukraine, Taiwan, and Iran. Following an elaborate arrival ceremony featuring military bands and fighter jet flyovers, the two leaders held bilateral talks.

White House arrival ceremony and media coverage disputes

Key details of the Trump-Xi state visit: On Thursday, President Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping for his initial White House trip in over ten years.

The two countries are also rivals on advanced artificial intelligence technology, and Mr. Trump posted on social media ahead of the meeting that AI would be a big topic of discussion.

Voicing his annoyance on Truth Social, President Trump complained that MS NOW and CNN failed to broadcast Xi’s welcome ceremony, calling the event made for television. CBS News along with other broadcasters likewise omitted the arrival ceremony from their programming.

CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were barred from the White House last week. Although a federal judge ordered their credentials reinstated, uncertainty remains over whether CNN will regain entry to the White House television pool. Until CNN receives assurance of its restoration to the regular pool rotation, the remaining four participating networks are also withholding their involvement.

Zelenskyy and Trump Hold White House Talks on Missile Defense

Video coverage of the president is currently on hold by all pool members—consisting of NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and Fox News—until the White House guarantees CNN’s reinstatement. Due to the absence of the television pool, certain networks opted against broadcasting the official government feed of the proceedings. News outlets are still reporting on the event itself.

The arrival ceremony for Xi was not open to all media, but only to the pool. ABC News was the representative for the pool on Thursday.

State dinner guest list including Tim Cook, Elon Musk and Sam Altman

Chinese leader Xi Jinping continues his three-day state visit as he and President Donald Trump share a meal at the White House tonight. Following a grand arrival ceremony on the White House grounds, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are entertaining Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at a state dinner on Sept. 24. Xi’s state visit officially began on Sept. 23 after he and Liyuan touched down outside of Washington.

Though Trump has likened his unopened White House ballroom to China’s Great Hall, the space is not ready to go on display for leaders like Xi. Instead, the state dinner will take place in the White House’s East Room.

US-China Beijing Summit Cements Bilateral Stability and Restrains Tensions

Alongside the official delegations, tech figures such as Apple’s Tim Cook, Tesla’s Elon Musk, and Open AI’s Sam Altman are anticipated guests at the dinner. At least one lawmaker, House Speaker Mike Johnson, intends to join, USA TODAY previously reported.

Melania Trump plans the pescatarian menu for Xi Jinping

President Donald Trump, despite his wealth, isn’t exactly known for his refined palette. But Thursday’s dinner honoring Chinese President Xi Jinping will be a sophisticated event, standing in stark contrast to the 47th president’s well-known order of two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and a large chocolate shake. The swanky event will be quite the opposite.

Conspicuously missing from the menu, however, is an American dining staple — red meat. In fact, no meat will be served at all. Instead, the dinner is exclusively a pescatarian affair.

According to the evening’s menu supplied to Fox News Digital by First Lady Melania Trump’s office, the opening course features yellow squash velouté, crispy pancetta, scallion oil, and a wild mushroom fricassée.

The first course offers a refined and silky-smooth velouté made of sweet yellow squash, the menu states. “This course is gently blended to highlight its delicate seasonal flavors of earthy wild mushrooms, sautéed with fresh herbs. Together, these ingredients create a rich fricassee, complemented by crispy pancetta for a savory and smoky contrast. A finishing drizzle of scallion oil adds vibrance and a subtle allium brightness to the dish.”

Netanyahu and Trump Meet at White House to Discuss Iran and Regional Issues

Following that, guests will be served a French green herb sauce alongside sesame-crusted sea bass, roasted garden eggplant, and braised bok choy.

The second course is prepared delicately with fresh seabass and coated in toasted sesame seeds, according to the menu. “This combination creates a fragrant nutty crust while keeping the fish tender. The fish is served with crisp baby bok choy and roasted garden eggplant, creating lightly caramelized flavors. The dish is finished with a vibrant sauce verte of fresh herbs, which add brightness, acidity, and a garden character.”

Melania Trump led the preparations for the dinner, which features a menu of items with American ingredients and subtle Chinese influence, according to a release from her office.

The release noted that the meal will open with a toast utilizing Schramsberg Blanc De Noir sparkling wine, paying homage to the 1972 Beijing “Toast to Peace” between Premier Zhou Enlai and former President Richard Nixon using that exact beverage.