Chaos erupted outside the White House yesterday as photographers from China clashed with their American counterparts and U.S. officials during President Trump’s welcome for President Xi Jinping. The red carpet may have been rolled out, but relations backstage were far from smooth.
Interactions at the White House Event
The incident, captured in a series of clips shared to X, reveals the discord among photographers from both countries. A member of the Chinese delegation showed visible upset regarding the vantage point for the leaders’ arrival. Meanwhile, a Chinese photographer defied requests to move, obstructing the view of an official photographer from the administration.
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“There is no world where we block the POTUS’s [inaudible] photographer,” stated a U.S. official to the Chinese group, threatening removal if the obstruction continued. “You cannot block her,” insisted another official.
Another video depicts the Chinese photographer attempting to integrate into the press assembly, repeatedly being denied by security. “The answer is no,” staff reiterated as the photographer sought a prime position. Meanwhile, a second Chinese photographer was seen hurriedly joining the press corps after initial resistance from security.
An interaction between American and Chinese photographers is caught on tape, with the American offering cooperation but insisting on a peaceful resolution: “I will help you today, but you have to help me, okay? But no fighting; we’ve got to make this work.”
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For context, the final clip displays the anticipated presidential arrival that had gathered the global press at the iconic residence.
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Source: petapixel.com
Frequently asked questions
What incident occurred during Trump’s welcome for Xi Jinping?
Chaos erupted outside the White House as photographers from China clashed with their American counterparts and U.S. officials during President Trump’s welcome for President Xi Jinping.
How did a U.S. official respond to a Chinese photographer’s obstruction?
A U.S. official stated to the Chinese group that there is no world where they block the POTUS’s photographer, threatening removal if the obstruction continued.
What was the response to the Chinese photographer trying to join the press assembly?
A video depicts the Chinese photographer attempting to integrate into the press assembly, repeatedly being denied by security, with staff reiterating, ‘The answer is no.’