Skirmish between US and Chinese press breaks out forcing Secret Service to step in as Trump kicks off Xi Jinping charm offensive

Sign up HERE to our DC Insider newsletter - your guide to what's rocking Washington, rattling the White House and setting tongues wagging on the Hill See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 10:44 EDT, 24 September 2026 | Updated: 10:50 EDT, 24 September 2026 A major skirmish broke out between US and Chinese media on the White House lawn moments before President Donald Trump's lavish welcome for Chinese leader Xi Jinping.Tensions were high as press scrambled to get into place ahead of the leaders arrival. Video shows heated shouting between Chinese press and the US Secret Service as they directed the media to get behind a bold security perimeter. The issue seemed to be centered on where foreign and domestic press could stage their cameras as the highly-anticipated event was set to start in minutes.The Daily Mail has reached out to the US Secret Service for a response on the ordeal. Trump's charm offensive has begun with doting compliments and lavish pageantry as the president Xi and his wife before tough trade and defense negotiations.Xi and his wife, Madame Peng, arrived at the White House in a motorcade Thursday morning surrounded by a flag guard of soldiers carrying flags of the 50 states. Greeted at the front door by the president and First Lady Melania, the Chinese leaders were whisked inside, where the two world leaders delivered remarks. Chaos ahead of Xi Jinping’s arrival at the White House as the travelling Chinese press corps push and shove their way into position. Lots of shouting and raised voices as they refuse to move for Secret Service. A reminder that they trampled a White House staff member during… pic.twitter.com/l78TYLLkaa— Connor Stringer (@connorstringer) September 24, 2026 Trump's charm offensive has begun with doting compliments and lavish pageantry as the president Xi and his wife before tough trade and defense negotiations Ivanka Trump and Marco Rubio were at the welcome ceremony at the White House on Thursday Trump made opening welcome remarks to Xi Jinping and his wife Tensions were high as press scrambled to get into place ahead of the leaders arrival on the south side of the White HouseThe Chinese leader arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday evening, to much pomp. Rows of US soldiers stood at attention as F-35 fighter jets and Air Force One loomed behind them. A military band played as US officials rushed to roll a red carpet up to the Chinese president's massive Air China jumbo jet. On the tarmac at the Air Force base, a flyover roared overhead to mark the Chinese president's arrival. Trump notably winced and cracked a brief smile at the thunderous roar while Xi remained stone-faced.The ceremony mirrored the welcome Trump received on his trip to Beijing in May, which also had a lavish carpet and troops standing at attention. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday Donald Trump winces and Xi Jinping remains emotionless as a roaring US military flyover rips overhead