Trump Highlights Half-Built White House Ballroom During Xi Jinping State Visit
During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit, Donald Trump used the occasion to promote progress on a partially finished White House ballroom.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived at Joint Base Andrews, where Donald Trump broke protocol by meeting them on the tarmac. After the welcome, Trump returned to the White House and focused on a half-completed ballroom, stating it was structurally finished on the north side and would soon be covered with glass. He expressed a desire to have the space ready for the state dinner honoring Xi.
Senator Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, suggested the White House should not host such a lavish event given current political challenges. The itinerary includes a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a dinner in the East Room, with full military participation.
Why it matters
The president’s focus on a costly renovation during a high-profile diplomatic visit raises questions about priorities amid election pressures.
How this story developed
- Sep 19 U.S. May Hold Off on Taiwan Weapons Sales Until After APEC and G20 Meetings
- Sep 21 The Zhejiang provincial government is asking local exporters to increase production for the United States, citing the recent Xi-Trump meeting as a sign of stable trade relations.
- Sep 23 U.S. officials are considering extending the pause on Taiwan arms sales beyond the APEC summit.
- Sep 25 Republican lawmakers publicly pressed Trump to honor Taiwan weapons commitments during the summit.
- Sep 25 Xi and Trump met in Washington to discuss the trade truce.
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