Trump shared a photo of meeting China’s Xi at the airport. The internet has a lot of questions
Por Brendan Rascius — – World RSS Feed
Trump shared a photo of meeting China’s Xi at the airport. The internet has a lot of questions
Brendan Rascius Thursday 24 September 2026 16:55 BST
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A photo shared by President Donald Trump from his meeting with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping has caused questions and speculation throughout the internet.
On Thursday, Trump shared the photo on his Truth Social platform. In it, the president stands next to Xi, with Trump’s arm raised in a salute. The words “Only Trump” are in the picture as the two leaders stand in the foreground at the front of the red carpet with Xi’s plane in the background. Overhead, a military plane flies past the scene.
A lone woman is also caught in the picture. Some on the internet have speculated that is was Trump’s personal aide Natalie Harp. But the woman is Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley, a former Fox News anchor who joined the Trump administration.
Others have questioned if the photo was made by AI. Trump was mocked for flinching during the flyover, and was caught by cameras clenching his teeth and ducking his head. Others pointed out other issues with the picture, such as him missing a glove on one hand, but it appearing in other pictures from the event.
Notably absent from the picture shared on Truth Social was first lady Melania Trump, who was also present at the event.
A number of social media users questioned whether the photo had been manipulated, whether through AI or other means.
“Why take the glove off his left hand??” wrote one X user. In pictures taken by photojournalists, the president can be seen wearing two black gloves.
“There’s a lot of slop,” another user chimed in.
Crowley, a former Fox News contributor, has served as U.S. chief of protocol since 2025, advising the president on diplomatic protocol.
She has accompanied Trump during other meetings with other world leaders, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla. She also traveled with Trump to Beijing for his state visit in May.
An earlier version of this story and headline incorrectly identified the person in the photo as Donald Trump’s personal aide Natalie Harp. The person in the frame is Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley.
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