Donald Trump was left "boiling mad" after pro- and anti-China protesters near the White House were heard over the US national anthem as he and Melania welcomed Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan for a state dinner on Thursday evening.
Demonstrators could be heard drowning out the anthem as the Chinese president and his wife Madame Peng were received by Trump and Melania prior to the dinner. Pro- and anti-China campaigners flanked either side of the road just several blocks east of the White House, divided by a police barrier.
Protesters divided by police barrier
The pro-China contingent were blaring the Chinese national anthem while protesters across from them brandished the Tibetan flag. Campaigners from a separate anti-China demonstration moving south toward the White House were chanting "Keep Taiwan free!", "Stop the Uyghur genocide" and "Free Jimmy Lai." Shouts from the rallies were audible above the ceremonial music.
Prior to Xi's vehicle arriving, the US president seemed to make a remark to his wife while his expression remained fixed in a furious glare. Catching the commotion from a distance, Trump surveyed the scene with a disapproving grimace, before greeting his principal guests for the evening.
Social media reacts to Trump's expression
Social media users flocked online to remark on Trump's response to the demonstrations. One user said: "Trump is humiliated as protestors can be clearly heard at the White House as President Xi arrives at his state dinner. Look at his face, he is boiling mad."
Tech leaders among state dinner guests
Along with the leaders, the chiefs of leading artificial intelligence and technology firms are amongst the invitees for the state dinner. The guest list boasts names such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and OpenAI President and Co-Founder Greg Brockman. Elon Musk is positioned at the top table alongside Melania Trump, with Apple's Tim Cook seated next to Xi Jinping's wife, Peng Liyuan.
Both presidents addressed the guests prior to the dinner, reflecting on the "long history" shared by the two nations. The state dinner comes after what Trump labelled a "great meeting" between the leaders. The official Chinese summary of the morning discussions between Trump and Xi reveals they touched on subjects including trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, the Middle East and Ukraine.
