Trump’s special-treatment – During a walk with President Xi Jinping at Zhongnanhai, Donald Trump pressed Xi’s interpreter for confirmation that other foreign leaders are treated the same way he is—only for Xi to shake his head when the question was relayed. The moment came amid Trump’s v
When Donald Trump stepped out for a “friendship photo” walk with President Xi Jinping inside Beijing’s Zhongnanhai Garden, it wasn’t just roses that drew attention—it was Trump’s insistence that he was getting the best seat in the house.
On Thursday, May 14, as the two leaders toured the Zhongnanhai Garden, Trump grilled Xi’s interpreter. He asked that the interpreter tell Xi: “Ask the president… when other people came from other countries… presidents and prime ministers, does he bring them here?”
Xi shook his head after the question was relayed, according to the account of the exchange.
The walk itself carried a rare kind of prestige.. A tour of the Zhongnanhai Garden is described as a high honor, and Trump became only the fourth U.S.. president to tour the highly secretive garden after Richard Nixon, George W.. Bush, and Barack Obama.. Xi said he invited Trump to tour the garden as thanks for Trump inviting him to Mar-a-Lago in 2017.
That moment landed as part of Trump’s two-day trip to China, where he has repeatedly emphasized the “royal treatment” he claims to be receiving. After the garden walk and a round of diplomatic talks, he continued praising Xi to the press.
“He’s a man I respect greatly,” Trump said. “We’ve become really good friends, we’ve known each other 11 years, nearly 12 years, that’s a long time.”
Trump’s affection for the setting was immediate too.. After being “wow[ed]” by the roses he saw. he asked Xi if he could have some for his paved-over Rose Garden.. Trump later described the exchange: “I asked the president. ‘Could you get me some for the Rose Garden?’. and he said yes.. I’ve never seen roses so big!”
Xi later framed it as a direct response to that interest, saying Trump had shown curiosity about famous Chinese roses growing outside and that he was sending him home with seeds as a gift.
The interpreter moment also came against a backdrop of Trump’s attention to Xi on a more personal level. with Trump throughout the trip describing their friendship while even talking up Xi’s height and “Hollywood” good looks.. In remarks to Sean Hannnity—who was in China to cover the trip for Fox News—Trump said. “I say it about him—and I say it about some. not as complimentary frankly. but I say about him—if you went to Hollywood and you looked for a leader of China to play a role in a movie. you couldn’t find a guy like him.” He added. “Even his physical features. he’s tall. very tall. especially for this country. because they tend to be a little bit shorter.”
Back at the formal negotiating table, Trump also addressed shared concerns about Iran.. “We did discuss Iran,” Trump said after Thursday’s talks.. “We feel very similar about (how) we want it to end.. We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon.. We want the Straits open… We want them to get it ended because it’s a crazy thing there. a little bit crazy.. And it’s no good, it can’t happen.”
Still, not every question got a clear answer. Trump dodged questions about Taiwan, which China claims to be its territory, throughout the visit.
Donald Trump Xi Jinping Zhongnanhai Garden Mar-a-Lago friendship photo interpreter roses Rose Garden Iran Straits open Taiwan