Chaos Behind the Scenes at US-China Summit

The summit in China appears to be going very well.

We reported earlier on some big things agreed to between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on trade and on Iran.

The Chinese agreed to help the U.S. with Iran and to buy U.S. soybeans, oil, liquefied natural gas, and other energy. China would also purchase 200 737 Boeing jets.

According to a White House statement, China also spoke against the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz, and against Iran's effort to charge tolls. Plus, they're agreeing Iran can never have a nuclear weapon; that's huge. On top of it all, they're interested in buying more oil from us, so they wouldn't be put in a box with the Strait in the future. That's also publicly throwing Iran under the bus.

Playing ball with us, rather than being adversarial and helping repressive states like Iran, would actually benefit them.

The Chinese also threw Trump a very nice state dinner with beef ribs, Beijing duck, and ice cream. They even played American songs during the dinner, finishing off with "YMCA," a signature Trump song. Can we say they were sucking up as much as they could? I think we can.

The 'Showdown' That Wasn't: Trump and Xi Put on the Full Charm Offensive at Luxe State Dinner

But while the front end went well, that aspect of China being China was showing itself with some chaos behind the scenes. One member of the U.S. delegation termed it a "s**tshow."

There were three incidents.

Warning for graphic language:

🚨 HOT MIC IN CHINA: "Get the F*CK out of here!" unknown voice says as the press and cameras struggle when President Trump and Xi walk in

Yikes! 👀 pic.twitter.com/LqDtVr75Zi
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 14, 2026

The first incident came when an aggressive Chinese press pack charged into Trump’s morning bilateral meeting with Xi, knocking down and then stepping on a White House advance team member.
The aide was bruised and shaken, though not seriously injured, and the incident caused her colleagues to loudly protest the Chinese media’s behavior.

Then there was a problem later in the day when the two leaders went to visit the Temple of Heaven, when Chinese officials refused to admit a Secret Service agent accompanying the presidential press pool into the secure area because the agent had a firearm, which, of course, he had because of his job.

A little dust-up between US Secret Service and Chinese security services over USSS carrying weapons.
Situation ironed out.
The show must go on. pic.twitter.com/kYmze6ffZR
— The Irreverent Reverend (@Irrev_Reverend) May 14, 2026

The Chinese version of a Mexican standoff ensued, with the press pool and American delegation refusing to move forward without the agent and Beijing officials determined to take his sidearm.
After a 30-minute delay and many arguments, another Secret Service agent who had already been cleared to proceed was summoned to escort reporters inside while the first agent stayed behind.

Then, when the group was leaving the Temple of Heaven, the overly officious officials refused to let the presidential pool reporters go to join the presidential motorcade.

🚨 American press got into HEATED ARGUMENTS while Chinese police HOLD THEM BACK in a side room during President Trump's Temple of Heaven visit with Xi

"Do you understand we are in the motorcade WITH the president?!"

CHINESE REPORTER: The security of our side do not allow you to… pic.twitter.com/8QeFvtcd1r
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 14, 2026

Finally, with Trump in the motorcade and waiting for the press, a White House staffer announced: “We are going.” That was the cue for the American contingent to push their way past the Chinese and run out the door.
As the group crossed the temple grounds to catch the motorcade, another set of Chinese officials tried to stop them, running with their arms out toward the group. But the Americans pressed on and reached the line of cars that made up the presidential convoy.

There have been issues in the past with Chinese security when U.S. leaders have visited because of their typical oppressive nature. But it's not good, and our people need to have a little discussion with them. You cannot do this, particularly not interfering with the Secret Service protecting the president.

Update: As we mentioned, the Chinese played Trump's big song during dinner:

the chinese played ymca for trump pic.twitter.com/puuzMhaVgE
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) May 14, 2026

[Editor's Note: This article was edited for clarity after publication.]

Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and his administration’s bold leadership, we are respected on the world stage, and our enemies are being put on notice.

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