Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met for an official state dinner in the White House East Room on the evening of Thursday, September 24, 2026, bringing together the heads of major American technology companies. Trump welcomed his Chinese counterpart on a red carpet and presented him with a bald eagle, describing the bird as an embodiment of free spirit before leading a roster of prominent corporate executives into a preview of the White House’s ongoing ballroom construction project.
State Dinner Speeches and Bilateral Relations
During his remarks before the dinner, Trump commemorated 158 years of diplomatic history, tracing ties back to the first Chinese delegation that arrived in Boston. He acknowledged the differing systems of governance represented by the two nations while asserting that bilateral ties remain strong. Xi Jinping responded by emphasizing the need for major powers to establish a new model of coexistence, noting that China’s push for national rejuvenation and America’s domestic goals can reinforce one another through sincere, strategic exchanges.
Big Tech Executives and Corporate Leaders in Attendance
The guest list featured prominent figures from the technology and financial sectors. Attendees included Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Facebook patron Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder and president Jeff Bezos, Nvidia co-founder and president Jensen Huang, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Tim Cook for Apple, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Additional corporate leaders present were AMD head Lisa Su, Michael Dell, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon, Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm, Albert Bourla of Pfizer, Blackrock’s Larry Fink, and David Ellison of Paramount Skydance.
Did you know? Before sitting down for a menu featuring sea bass with Chinese influences, Trump invited the Chinese delegation on an unscripted tour of the new White House ballroom construction site, telling them they were the first to enter the space.
Media Access Restrictions and Outside Protests
The event unfolded amid ongoing press access disputes. CNN and MsNow reported that their journalists were denied entry to cover the arrival of Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the White House. Major television networks subsequently chose not to broadcast video footage of the gala. The White House television pool remains suspended as broadcasters demand the reinstatement of CNN to the reporting rotation. Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered outside the White House throughout the evening to protest the summit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did the state dinner take place?
The state dinner was held in the East Room of the White House on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Which tech executives attended the meeting?
Attendees included leaders from major firms such as Tesla, Facebook, Amazon, Nvidia, OpenAI, Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
Why was television coverage of the event restricted?
Major networks withheld regular video broadcasting after access was denied to certain news organizations, keeping the White House TV pool suspended.
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