US2 min(s) read
Published 13:47 15 May 2026 GMT
Donald Trump was mocked online after asking Xi Jinping a very simple question during his visit to the exclusive Zhongnanhai gardens in Beijing.
The unusual exchange happened while the two leaders were strolling through the historic compound on Friday, with the moment caught on camera and later reported by the BBC.
Trump asked Xi through translators: “Can I ask the President: With other dignitaries from other countries, presidents or prime ministers, does he bring them here?”
Xi replied: “Very few. We usually don’t hold diplomatic events here.
"Even after we started having some, it’s still extremely rare. For example, Putin.”
Clearly pleased by the answer, Trump responded: “Good. I like it.”
The interaction quickly sparked jokes and criticism online, with many social media users suggesting the president appeared eager for reassurance that he was receiving special treatment from the Chinese leader.
“He literally sounds like a girl asking a guy if this is their special place,” one person wrote.
Another critic commented: “The level of emotional insecurity is staggering.”
Someone else added: “His insatiable need for validation is so embarrassing.”
Zhongnanhai is often compared to a Chinese version of the White House, but according to the Associated Press, it is not commonly used for diplomatic meetings.
The outlet suggested Xi’s invitation may have been intended to “extend a personal touch to a U.S. leader who appreciates big gestures.”
The lighthearted but awkward moment came amid far more serious discussions between the two global powers, including tensions surrounding trade and Taiwan.
Still, online reactions largely focused on Trump’s apparent excitement over the private tour, with one sarcastic remark summing up the mood: “You had a date in a highly secretive former imperial garden. But it doesn’t mean you’re going steady.”
