President Donald Trump completed his China visit on Friday, May 15, 2026, departing Beijing after a two-day state summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Behind the visible diplomatic ceremony, May 14 produced an unusual sequence of physical confrontations between Chinese security personnel and the American delegation. New York Post White House correspondent Emily Goodin documented at least three separate flashpoints during the day, in which Chinese officials blocked the U.S. press pool, knocked down a White House advance team member, refused entry to an armed Secret Service agent, and detained American journalists in a side room. The clashes were also reported by Fox News’ Peter Doocy and the Telegraph’s Connor Stringer from the ground in Beijing.
According to Goodin’s Post reporting, Chinese authorities had announced a series of restrictions on the American delegation before the visit, including limits on bathroom access for U.S. visitors and the confiscation of water bottles. Beijing was sunny and over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 27°C) on May 14, but American press pool members received no drinking water from Chinese hosts throughout the day.
A White House advance team member was knocked down and stepped on
The first incident occurred on the morning of May 14, as the Trump-Xi bilateral meeting was about to begin. A group of Chinese journalists charged into the meeting venue ahead of the U.S. press pool, knocking down and stepping on a member of the White House advance team. The aide was startled and bruised but not seriously injured. American officials loudly protested, repeatedly shouting “White House press pool only!” The U.S. press pool eventually pushed through but had to work hard to do so.
Once inside the meeting hall, Chinese security personnel again blocked the American press from following Trump’s movements, causing one U.S. photographer to lose his composure on a hot mic. “Get the f— out of here!” the photographer was heard shouting in audio captured during the chaos and circulated on social media. By the time the Chinese security gave way, the press pool had missed the moment when Trump took his seat.
A Secret Service agent was refused entry to the Temple of Heaven for carrying his firearm
On the afternoon of May 14, Xi accompanied Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven. Chinese officials refused to allow a Secret Service agent accompanying the presidential press pool into the secure area because the agent was carrying his sidearm, which is standard practice for Secret Service personnel on protective detail.
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The White House press pool and the American delegation declined to move forward without the agent. Chinese officials insisted that the agent surrender his weapon. After roughly 30 minutes of standoff and repeated arguments, a different Secret Service agent who had already been cleared was summoned to escort the press pool into the Temple, while the first agent stayed behind. Trump and Xi arrived at the Temple later than scheduled because of the delay.
AFP correspondent Danny Kemp described the incident as a “lengthy and increasingly intense discussion between U.S. and Chinese officials.” Peter Doocy of Fox News, also present, described the incident as a “very physical standoff” between U.S. Secret Service and Chinese police.
The White House press pool was detained in a side room with the door briefly closed
After Trump and Xi posed for photos and continued their tour of the Temple of Heaven, Chinese security personnel cut off the White House press pool, directing reporters to the right and herding them into a side room with security personnel posted at the door. Chinese officials briefly closed the door, leaving the room in darkness, before reopening it after American protests.
A translator can be heard on circulated video asking the Chinese security personnel: “When can they leave? I’m just asking, when can they go?”
A Chinese security officer replied: “Tell them, when our chairman leaves, they can leave.”
While the presidential motorcade waited for the press pool, a White House staffer called out, “We’re leaving.” That phrase is a standard signal for the press pool to evacuate, since the motorcade departs whether or not all press members have rejoined. A pool reporter shouted, “We have to get out!” Other reporters joined in demanding to leave, and a reporter eventually pushed through the Chinese cordon to exit the room and photograph outside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The press pool lead called out, “American media! We are leaving now!” and led other reporters and photographers out of the room.
A White House official told Chinese counterparts that if the roles were reversed, the Trump administration would never treat Chinese visitors this way.
Chinese officials tried to block the press from rejoining the motorcade
As the U.S. press pool crossed the Temple of Heaven grounds to catch up with the presidential motorcade, additional Chinese officials approached with arms outstretched, attempting to prevent the reporters from leaving. American journalists pushed past and eventually rejoined the motorcade. Telegraph correspondent Connor Stringer reported that Chinese officials made “several” separate attempts to stop U.S. reporters and staff from leaving their positions to rejoin the motorcade.
The events of May 14 were captured by the photographer accompanying director Brett Ratner, who was part of the broader American delegation. Ratner was in China to scout locations for Rush Hour 4, the fourth installment of the Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker franchise that Trump has personally championed.
Why the CCP may have wanted tight control of the visuals
One possible explanation for the tight Chinese control of press access circulated online. During Trump’s November 2017 visit to the Forbidden City, Xi had been photographed standing with his hands in his pockets while Trump glanced over at him. Footage shows Xi quickly removing his hands and placing them at his sides as Trump turned to him. The image was widely circulated overseas at the time as an awkward photo for Xi. Whether the May 14 press restrictions were partly intended to avoid similar incidents on this visit is a matter of speculation, but the contrast between the public choreography and the behind-the-scenes management was notable.