A White House staffer was knocked down and trampled by Chinese reporters during President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing, according to reports. The incident occurred as journalists rushed into a bilateral meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, leaving the aide bruised but not seriously injured.
The chaos was captured on video by a cameraman accompanying director Brett Ratner, who was travelling with the US delegation. The footage reportedly shows an American calling the scene a 's***show', reflecting frustration among the US team.
The incident is the latest in a series of tensions between US officials and Chinese authorities during the visit. US reporters have faced strict restrictions, including limited access to bathrooms and confiscation of water bottles despite temperatures exceeding 80°F (27°C).
Earlier, a standoff occurred when Chinese officials refused entry to a Secret Service agent carrying a firearm at the Temple of Heaven. The US delegation refused to proceed without the agent, leading to a 30-minute argument before a different cleared agent arrived.
Further disputes arose over press access to the presidential motorcade, with a White House official warning that the Trump administration would not treat Chinese officials similarly. The White House has been contacted for comment.
