{
  "id": 9485438,
  "title": "Video of US military adjusting red carpet for China’s Xi sparks online backlash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/video-of-us-military-adjusting-red-carpet-for-chinas-xi-sparks-online-9485438",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T04:23:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368596/video-us-military-adjusting-red-carpet-chinas-xi-sparks-online-backlash"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A video showing US military personnel meticulously adjusting a red carpet has gone viral online as President Donald Trump welcomed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews. The 12-second clip displayed service members smoothing and cleaning the 30-meter carpet moments before Xi stepped out of his aircraft. Chinese officials, such as Foreign Minister Wang Yi and protocol chief Hong Lei, were seen watching the operation. Trump's welcome was unusually lavish, featuring military flyovers and a 21-gun salute. The clip sparked criticism from some US social media users, who deemed it degrading to the military and seen as an \"ego-stroking spectacle.\" The differing approaches to diplomatic ceremony between the US and China were highlighted, with Beijing putting meticulous effort into welcoming protocols. The footage provided critics with ammunition, while analysts cautioned against overemphasizing the ceremonial polish. The White House ballroom project, which is still 65% complete, underscores Trump's focus on creating a large-scale venue for state dinners.",
  "summary": "A video clip showing uniformed US military personnel on their hands and knees making last-minute adjustments to a red carpet has gone viral online, as President Donald Trump rolled out a lavish welcome for his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews. The 12-second clip, which circulated widely on US social media, captured several service members hurriedly smoothing and cleaning the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Video of US military adjusting red carpet for China’s Xi sparks online backlash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/video-of-us-military-adjusting-red-carpet-for-chinas-xi-sparks-online",
        "published": "2026-09-24T04:23:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}