A rare and intriguing video has surfaced from Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to the United States, capturing a moment of unexpected levity between him and Donald Trump. Known for maintaining a stoic and often inscrutable poker face during international summits, Xi Jinping was seen laughing heartily at a joke made by Trump. The cause of this laughter was a pointed remark directed at Joe Biden involving an autopen, a detail that has since become a major talking point in diplomatic circles, while this interaction is particularly notable given the usually formal nature of such high-level meetings between the leaders of the world's two largest economies.
The Autopen Joke and Joe Biden
The interaction took place while Donald Trump was showing President Xi Jinping the famous Presidential Walk of Fame. In a video shared by the White House, Trump can be seen gesturing towards a picture of Joe Biden while mentioning an autopen. The caption provided by the White House read, "This is the autopen, this is Biden. " Although the specific words spoken by Trump in the video weren't entirely clear due to background noise, his gestures and the context made it evident that he was mocking Joe Biden's reliance on the machine.
An autopen is a specialized device designed to create an exact replica of a person's signature. Throughout his presidency and beyond, Donald Trump has frequently criticized Joe Biden for using such technology instead of signing documents by hand. By pointing this out to the Chinese leader, Trump managed to elicit a genuine laugh from Xi Jinping, a sight seldom seen in public engagements involving the Chinese President. The moment highlighted a rare personal connection or at least a shared sense of humor between the two leaders at the expense of their political contemporary.
Contrast with the B2 Bomber Incident
This moment of shared laughter stands in stark contrast to an earlier incident during the same visit that had previously captured public attention. When Donald Trump arrived to welcome President Xi Jinping, an American B2 bomber flew overhead as part of the ceremonial proceedings. The powerful aircraft produced a deafening roar as it passed close to the leaders. In that moment, Trump appeared visibly startled by the sudden and intense noise, quickly closing his eyes in a reflexive reaction to the sound, while in contrast, Xi Jinping remained completely unmoved, maintaining his characteristic poker face without so much as a flinch. The video of Trump's reaction compared to Xi's stoicism had previously gone viral, making this new video of them laughing together even more significant as it showed a different side of their interaction.
A Grand Welcome and Breaking Protocol
The visit itself was a major diplomatic event, marking Xi Jinping's first trip to the United States in 11 years. He arrived on September 24, and the reception he received was nothing short of extraordinary. Donald Trump took the unusual step of breaking established diplomatic protocol by personally traveling to the airport to greet the Chinese leader upon his arrival. Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, for this high-profile welcome, signaling the high level of importance the administration placed on the visit.
To honor the visiting president, a massive red carpet stretching approximately 100 feet was laid out at the airport. This gesture, combined with Trump's personal presence at the landing site, underscored the significance of the bilateral relationship. The transition from the formal and intense atmosphere of the B2 bomber flyover to the lighthearted moment at the Presidential Walk of Fame highlights the complex dynamics between the two leaders during this historic 11 year return to American soil. Every detail of the visit, from the 100 foot carpet to the jokes shared in private corridors, has been closely watched by observers worldwide.