Amazon MGM Studios is currently on a hunt for the next James Bond actor, and amid the ongoing search, The White House has brought Donald Trump into the 007 conversation. On May 17, the administration’s official X account shared a stylised image portraying Trump as a British spy in a tuxedo holding a gun.<h2>Donald Trump as James Bond</h2>In the black and white graphic, which also had the classic “007” branding, Trump was seen holding a silencer-equipped pistol while dressed in classic Bond fashion. The poster also carried the slogan "Make America Great Again." The image was posted with an eye emoji as the caption, and within no time, the visual went viral on social media.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/james-bond-26-new-007-movie-release-is-at-least-two-years-away-details-inside-1777277239815">James Bond 26: New 007 movie release is at least two years away! Details inside</a><h2>Search for the next James Bond</h2>The meme-like upload came shortly after reports emerged that Amazon MGM Studios had launched casting auditions for the next James Bond film. Acclaimed casting director Nina Gold, known for her work on Game of Thrones, The Crown and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has reportedly been given the task of finding a successor to Daniel Craig.&nbsp;Several actors such as Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner and Tom Francis are reportedly under consideration for the part.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-search-for-the-next-james-bond-begins-auditions-officially-underway-game-of-thrones-casting-director-joins-1778834763546">The search for the next James Bond begins: Auditions officially underway, Game of Thrones casting director joins</a>&nbsp;The studio confirmed that the casting process is underway, saying, "While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/shekhar-kapur-votes-john-abraham-as-next-james-bond-force-actor-reacts-to-comparison-with-daniel-craig-1778934398983">Shekhar Kapur votes John Abraham as next James Bond</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">👀 <a href="https://t.co/k8RYZ3XSDW">https://t.co/k8RYZ3XSDW</a> <a href="https://t.co/FEnJjOvmWS">pic.twitter.com/FEnJjOvmWS</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2055785300148764859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/who-is-the-next-james-bond-amazon-mgm-says-a-responsibility-we-don-t-take-lightly-1776317493536">Who is the next James Bond? Amazon MGM says, ‘a responsibility we don’t take lightly'</a><h2>Internet reacts to Trump as Bond</h2>Soon after the image of Trump as James Bond surfaced online, social media was loaded with reactions. One X user posted "License to Groom" alongside a photo referencing disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, another shared a parody image of Trump with the caption "Pie Another Day." "They’re doing anything to market him and make him likeable again, but it’s not going to work. He messed up," said another user. One commented, "White House posting James Bond edits while inflation is hurting Americans, allies don’t trust them anymore, and global diplomacy is a mess."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Amid the ongoing search for the next James Bond, the White House on Saturday shared an image of Donald Trump portraying the British spy. The black and white graphic was showed him in a tuxedo holding a gun.

Amazon MGM Studios is currently on a hunt for the next James Bond actor, and amid the ongoing search, The White House has brought Donald Trump into the 007 conversation. On May 17, the administration’s official X account shared a stylised image portraying Trump as a British spy in a tuxedo holding a gun. Donald Trump as James Bond In the black and white graphic, which also had the classic “007” branding, Trump was seen holding a silencer-equipped pistol while dressed in classic Bond fashion. The poster also carried the slogan "Make America Great Again." The image was posted with an eye emoji as the caption, and within no time, the visual went viral on social media. Also Read: James Bond 26: New 007 movie release is at least two years away! Details inside Search for the next James Bond The meme-like upload came shortly after reports emerged that Amazon MGM Studios had launched casting auditions for the next James Bond film. Acclaimed casting director Nina Gold, known for her work on Game of Thrones, The Crown and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has reportedly been given the task of finding a successor to Daniel Craig. Several actors such as Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner and Tom Francis are reportedly under consideration for the part. Also Read: The search for the next James Bond begins: Auditions officially underway, Game of Thrones casting director joins The studio confirmed that the casting process is underway, saying, "While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right." Also Read: Shekhar Kapur votes John Abraham as next James Bond

Amid the ongoing search for the next James Bond, the White House on Saturday shared an image of Donald Trump portraying the British spy. The black and white graphic showed him in a tuxedo holding a gun.

White House imagines Donald Trump as James Bond amid ongoing search for new 007; internet reacts

US President Donald Trump posted a bunch of AI-generated photos about aliens and wars in space on Truth Social on Sunday night. One of the photos shows Trump walking with a captured alien in chains. The alien simply looks like a naked human with a large head of a strange creature. Another photo shows Trump sitting on a desk with a kill switch, with asteroids and lasers crashing into each other. A third photo depicts satellites in space shooting at each other, with the Space Force logo and the American flag also visible, as Trump sits on a round sci-fi desk. Trump has been peddling the alien theory for weeks now, and even ordered the Pentagon to release all files linked to UFOs and extraterrestrial sightings on Earth. The first batch was made public on May 8. Over 160 files were out in the first chunk, which included 82 documents from the Department of War, 56 from the FBI, 12 from NASA, and 8 from the State Department. There are 28 videos and 14 images as well.<h2>Trump walks with an alien</h2>

<h2>Memes and hilarious reactions to Trump's photo with an alien</h2>&nbsp;Netizens were visibly amused and even angry with the photo. One of them wrote, “The alien's abs are out of this world, that's for sure.” Another wrote, “And his doctor said he had the highest IQ ever seen. Go figure!” One comment read, “Perhaps the aliens can help open the strait he closed?!” Another user wrote, “Anything to distract from the Epstein files and his war in Iran.” &nbsp;<h2>Donald Trump, aliens and UFO Files</h2>Speculations are rife that Trump has a speech prepared on extraterrestrials being real. Some reports state that this has been confirmed by sources close to the president. Just two days before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/next-set-of-ufo-files-pastors-say-translucent-beings-and-alien-abductions-part-of-new-tranche-1779079606403">UFO Files</a> were released, the American president told reporters, "I think some of it’s going to be very interesting to people." It started on February 19, 2026, when he ordered Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other agency heads on social media to begin identifying and declassifying records. He said that the people deserve transparency and truth. Trump said, “Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs)...”&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Space Force is another area Trump regularly talks about, and posted AI photos linked to the agency. It was established during Donald Trump's first term in December 2019. It became an active tactical asset during the ongoing military conflict with Iran. In May 2026, Trump said that the Space Force is being actively used to monitor Iran's subterranean nuclear stockpiles and enriched uranium locations. According to top commanders, Space Force operations (such as Epic Fury) laid the critical foundation for early tactical strikes on Iran.

Donald Trump posted a photo of himself walking with an alien. The extraterrestrial in the AI photo is taller than Trump with a six-pack that triggered instant chuckles on the internet. Trump has been pushing ahead with the release of UFO Files and is believed to even have a speech prepared.

US President Donald Trump posted a bunch of AI-generated photos about aliens and wars in space on Truth Social on Sunday night. One of the photos shows Trump walking with a captured alien in chains. The alien simply looks like a naked human with a large head of a strange creature. Another photo shows Trump sitting on a desk with a kill switch, with asteroids and lasers crashing into each other. A third photo depicts satellites in space shooting at each other, with the Space Force logo and the American flag also visible, as Trump sits on a round sci-fi desk. Trump has been peddling the alien theory for weeks now, and even ordered the Pentagon to release all files linked to UFOs and extraterrestrial sightings on Earth. The first batch was made public on May 8. Over 160 files were out in the first chunk, which included 82 documents from the Department of War, 56 from the FBI, 12 from NASA, and 8 from the State Department. There are 28 videos and 14 images as well. Trump walks with an alien

Donald Trump posted a photo of himself walking with an alien. The extraterrestrial in the AI photo is taller than Trump with a six-pack that triggered instant chuckles on the internet. Trump has been pushing ahead with the release of UFO Files and is believed to even have a speech prepared.

Trump posts photo of himself walking with an alien, hilarious reactions follow - 'The alien's abs...'

US President Donald Trump has made a major statement on Taiwan following his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying that China firmly rejects Taiwan’s independence. The remarks have renewed global attention on one of the most sensitive flashpoints in US-China relations amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Trump-Xi Summit: Questioned on Taiwan, Donald Trump Says China is Beautiful

A viral clip from Donald Trump’s China visit set social media ablaze this week after users claimed the US president had been "caught" snooping through Chinese President Xi Jinping's personal notebook during a formal diplomatic dinner. The internet, predictably, ran wild. “Trump was caught on camera sneaking a peek at Xi Jinping’s private notebook,” one viral post claimed, while others joked that Trump had suddenly learned Mandarin or was trying to decode Chinese state secrets in real time. Some critics went even further, branding the moment embarrassing, invasive or outright bizarre.But as often happens with viral footage, the fuller context appears to tell a far less scandalous story. Here's what actually happened.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-thousands-of-bees-invade-trump-s-white-house-spark-biblical-plague-buzz-online-blasphemers-will-be-dealt-with-most-definitely-1778911087678">Watch | Thousands of bees ‘invade’ Trump's White House; spark ‘biblical plague’ buzz online: 'BLASPHEMERS will be dealt with - most definitely!'</a><h2>Trump caught spying on Xi?</h2>In the widely shared video, Trump is seen leaning over and opening a black leather folder near Xi’s seat after the Chinese leader stands up during a state banquet at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. Watch the video here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨⚡️ SPOTTED: Trump caught sneaking a peek at Xi Jinping&#39;s private notebook during a Beijing banquet while Xi stepped away! 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/MLms4D27SC">pic.twitter.com/MLms4D27SC</a>&mdash; RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/mog_russEN/status/2055153953961394399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Without a wider context, many online interpreted the move as Trump inspecting Xi’s private materials. That interpretation quickly exploded across X, with sarcastic commentary, edited captions and accusations ranging from nosiness to “kleptomania.”“I had no idea that Trump reads Chinese,” said one user, "And it read in English ‘don’t peep while I’m not there’ joked another.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-in-bonkers-boast-reveals-he-told-xi-we-spy-like-hell-on-china-us-china-trump-xi-summit-beijing-1778921135477">Trump in bonkers boast reveals he told Xi 'we spy like hell on China'</a><h2>What's the truth?</h2>According to OK Magazine, observers noted that the folder actually had the US presidential seal. X community notes also note: "This is Trump's folder (US seal visible), not Xi's. Selectively clipped banquet footage misleads about the entire scene."Additional footage reportedly shows Trump picking the same folder when rising to speak.

A viral clip from Trump’s Beijing visit sparked claims that he was snooping through Xi Jinping’s private notebook at a state dinner. Is. Scroll down.

A viral clip from Donald Trump’s China visit set social media ablaze this week after users claimed the US president had been "caught" snooping through Chinese President Xi Jinping's personal notebook during a formal diplomatic dinner. The internet, predictably, ran wild. “Trump was caught on camera sneaking a peek at Xi Jinping’s private notebook,” one viral post claimed, while others joked that Trump had suddenly learned Mandarin or was trying to decode Chinese state secrets in real time. Some critics went even further, branding the moment embarrassing, invasive or outright bizarre. But as often happens with viral footage, the fuller context appears to tell a far less scandalous story. Here's what actually happened. Also read | Watch | Thousands of bees ‘invade’ Trump's White House; spark ‘biblical plague’ buzz online: 'BLASPHEMERS will be dealt with - most definitely!' Trump caught spying on Xi? In the widely shared video, Trump is seen leaning over and opening a black leather folder near Xi’s seat after the Chinese leader stands up during a state banquet at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. Watch the video here:

A viral clip from Trump’s Beijing visit sparked claims that he was snooping through Xi Jinping’s private notebook at a state dinner. Is. Scroll down.

Fact check: Trump caught on video taking a sneak peek at Xi Jinping’s private notebook? Clip goes viral | WATCH

US President Donald Trump, during his recent trip to Beijing, apparently boasted to Chinese President Xi Jinping that the US is better at spying than China. The POTUS, as per reports, even confessed that American spooks have targeted China in ways which they cannot even fathom. Trump made the revelation while speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One en route to Washington.<h2>'We spy like hell on them, too'</h2>Aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked if he had questioned Xi about China's alleged cyberattacks on the US. "I did. And he talked about attacks we did in China. You know, what they do, we do too. We spy like hell on them, too," said the US president."I told him, 'We do a lot of stuff to you that you don't know about," he added. When pressed further, Trump said, "I'm talking about spying. The question was asked of me yesterday, I guess, 'What about the fact that China is spying?' I said, ‘Well, it's one of those things because we spy like hell on them, too'."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-thousands-of-bees-invade-trump-s-white-house-spark-biblical-plague-buzz-online-blasphemers-will-be-dealt-with-most-definitely-1778911087678">Watch | Thousands of bees ‘invade’ Trump's White House; spark ‘biblical plague’ buzz online: 'BLASPHEMERS will be dealt with - most definitely!'</a><h2>A 'double-edged sword'</h2>Trump was also asked whether he was worried about China secretly inserting malicious code into critical American infrastructure, a concern US intelligence agencies have repeatedly flagged as a major national security threat. “You don’t know that,” Trump said. “I’d like to see it, but it’s very possible that they do.”“I told them, ‘We do a lot of stuff to you that you don’t know about, and you are doing stuff to us that we probably do know about'," he said, adding, "But we do plenty. It’s a double-edged sword."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-there-are-youngsters-like-cockroaches-what-made-cji-surya-kant-compare-youngsters-to-pests-supreme-court-hearing-turns-explosive-1778909973915">'There are youngsters like cockroaches': What made CJI Surya Kant compare youngsters to pests? Supreme Court hearing turns explosive</a><h2>Public bravado, private caution</h2>While Trump projected relative calm publicly, reports from journalists travelling with him suggested his staff operated under an entirely different level of concern. According to accounts from reporters aboard Air Force One, US officials confiscated all Chinese-issued badges, pins and devices before passengers re-boarded. At the same time, staff reportedly relied on burner phones during the China trip.Some were allegedly instructed to leave devices behind or destroy temporary phones rather than risk surveillance vulnerabilities."Nothing from China allowed on the plane," one White House correspondent reported.

Fresh off Beijing, US President Donald Trump is claiming he told Xi Jinping something unusually blunt: America spies on China “like hell,” too. All you need to know.

US President Donald Trump, during his recent trip to Beijing, apparently boasted to Chinese President Xi Jinping that the US is better at spying than China. The POTUS, as per reports, even confessed that American spooks have targeted China in ways which they cannot even fathom. Trump made the revelation while speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One en route to Washington. 'We spy like hell on them, too' Aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked if he had questioned Xi about China's alleged cyberattacks on the US. "I did. And he talked about attacks we did in China. You know, what they do, we do too. We spy like hell on them, too," said the US president. "I told him, 'We do a lot of stuff to you that you don't know about," he added. When pressed further, Trump said, "I'm talking about spying. The question was asked of me yesterday, I guess, 'What about the fact that China is spying?' I said, ‘Well, it's one of those things because we spy like hell on them, too'." Also read | Watch | Thousands of bees ‘invade’ Trump's White House; spark ‘biblical plague’ buzz online: 'BLASPHEMERS will be dealt with - most definitely!' A 'double-edged sword' Trump was also asked whether he was worried about China secretly inserting malicious code into critical American infrastructure, a concern US intelligence agencies have repeatedly flagged as a major national security threat. “You don’t know that,” Trump said. “I’d like to see it, but it’s very possible that they do.” “I told them, ‘We do a lot of stuff to you that you don’t know about, and you are doing stuff to us that we probably do know about'," he said, adding, "But we do plenty. It’s a double-edged sword." Also read | 'There are youngsters like cockroaches': What made CJI Surya Kant compare youngsters to pests? Supreme Court hearing turns explosive Public bravado, private caution While Trump projected relative calm publicly, reports from journalists travelling with him suggested his staff operated under an entirely different level of concern. According to accounts from reporters aboard Air Force One, US officials confiscated all Chinese-issued badges, pins and devices before passengers re-boarded. At the same time, staff reportedly relied on burner phones during the China trip. Some were allegedly instructed to leave devices behind or destroy temporary phones rather than risk surveillance vulnerabilities. "Nothing from China allowed on the plane," one White House correspondent reported.

Fresh off Beijing, US President Donald Trump is claiming he told Xi Jinping something unusually blunt: America spies on China “like hell,” too. All you need to know.

Trump in bonkers boast reveals he told Xi 'we spy like hell on China'

Taiwan declared on Saturday that it is a 'sovereign and independent democratic nation' and ‘not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China’, hours after US President Donald Trump warned the island against formally declaring independence following his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The unusually direct exchange underscored the continuing volatility surrounding Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy that China claims as part of its territory and has vowed to annex, by force if necessary.&nbsp;Trump, speaking to Fox News after concluding his state visit to China, said he did not want Taipei to provoke a conflict. “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” he told ‘Special Report with Bret Baier’. “We’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that.” “I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,” Trump added. “We’re not looking to have wars, and if you kept it the way it is, I think China’s going to be OK with that.” Taiwan’s foreign ministry responded within hours, reiterating that the island already functions as an independent state. “Taiwan is a sovereign and independent democratic nation, and is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China,” the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-says-chinese-president-signalled-jimmy-lai-s-release-unlikely-who-is-the-jailed-hong-kong-media-mogul-1778851727550">Trump says Chinese President signalled Jimmy Lai’s release unlikely — Who is the jailed Hong Kong media mogul?</a>&nbsp;<h2>Beijing pressure and Washington’s balancing act</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>Taiwan sits at the centre of one of Asia’s most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints. While the United States formally recognises Beijing rather than Taipei, Washington remains Taiwan’s principal security partner under the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the US to provide the island with defensive weapons.&nbsp;China has sharply increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years through large-scale air and naval exercises around the island. During his talks with Trump, Xi warned that missteps over Taiwan could trigger ‘conflict’. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te maintains that the island is already independent in practice, making any formal declaration unnecessary. Beijing, however, views Lai as a separatist figure.&nbsp;According to AFP, Taiwan’s Presidential Office said on Saturday that Washington’s long-standing position had not changed, citing “multiple reaffirmations from the US side, including President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio”.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-renews-condemnation-of-attacks-on-uae-after-high-level-discussions-with-uae-president-1778844650095">PM Modi renews condemnation of attacks on UAE after high-level discussions with President</a>&nbsp;<h2>Arms sales under scrutiny amid rising tensions</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>Ahead of the Beijing summit, Trump said he intended to discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi, marking a notable shift from Washington’s previous insistence that such decisions would not be negotiated with China. Taiwan’s parliament recently approved a $25 billion defence spending package, much of it linked to American weapons purchases. Lawmakers say nearly $9 billion will fund part of an $11.1 billion arms package announced by Washington in December, with a second proposed package worth more than $15 billion still awaiting US approval.&nbsp;Asked about future sales while travelling back to Washington on Friday, Trump said: “I’ll make a determination over the next fairly short period of time.” Taipei defended the purchases as essential to regional stability. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said US arms sales were “not only a US security commitment to Taiwan clearly stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also a form of joint deterrence against regional threats”.

The unusually direct exchange underscored the continuing volatility surrounding Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy that China claims as part of its territory and has vowed to annex, by force if necessary.

Taiwan declared on Saturday that it is a 'sovereign and independent democratic nation' and ‘not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China’, hours after US President Donald Trump warned the island against formally declaring independence following his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The unusually direct exchange underscored the continuing volatility surrounding Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy that China claims as part of its territory and has vowed to annex, by force if necessary. Trump, speaking to Fox News after concluding his state visit to China, said he did not want Taipei to provoke a conflict. “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” he told ‘Special Report with Bret Baier’. “We’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that.” “I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,” Trump added. “We’re not looking to have wars, and if you kept it the way it is, I think China’s going to be OK with that.” Taiwan’s foreign ministry responded within hours, reiterating that the island already functions as an independent state. “Taiwan is a sovereign and independent democratic nation, and is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China,” the ministry said in a statement. ALSO READ: Trump says Chinese President signalled Jimmy Lai’s release unlikely — Who is the jailed Hong Kong media mogul? Beijing pressure and Washington’s balancing act Taiwan sits at the centre of one of Asia’s most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints. While the United States formally recognises Beijing rather than Taipei, Washington remains Taiwan’s principal security partner under the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the US to provide the island with defensive weapons. China has sharply increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years through large-scale air and naval exercises around the island. During his talks with Trump, Xi warned that missteps over Taiwan could trigger ‘conflict’. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te maintains that the island is already independent in practice, making any formal declaration unnecessary. Beijing, however, views Lai as a separatist figure. According to AFP, Taiwan’s Presidential Office said on Saturday that Washington’s long-standing position had not changed, citing “multiple reaffirmations from the US side, including President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio”. ALSO READ: PM Modi renews condemnation of attacks on UAE after high-level discussions with President Arms sales under scrutiny amid rising tensions Ahead of the Beijing summit, Trump said he intended to discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi, marking a notable shift from Washington’s previous insistence that such decisions would not be negotiated with China. Taiwan’s parliament recently approved a $25 billion defence spending package, much of it linked to American weapons purchases. Lawmakers say nearly $9 billion will fund part of an $11.1 billion arms package announced by Washington in December, with a second proposed package worth more than $15 billion still awaiting US approval. Asked about future sales while travelling back to Washington on Friday, Trump said: “I’ll make a determination over the next fairly short period of time.” Taipei defended the purchases as essential to regional stability. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said US arms sales were “not only a US security commitment to Taiwan clearly stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also a form of joint deterrence against regional threats”.

The unusually direct exchange underscored the continuing volatility surrounding Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy that China claims as part of its territory and has vowed to annex, by force if necessary.

'Sovereign and independent democratic nation': Taiwan rejects subordination to China after Trump warning

Bill Maher has addressed President Donald Trump’s state visit to China, which he called an "old-fashioned lovefest."&nbsp;Maher, who like many late-night show hosts, has been a strong critic of Trump, dedicated his monologue on Friday night’s edition of his HBO show to Trump’s visit to China and his meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Commenting on the meeting, which was covered by media across the world, he said,''But mostly, it was an old-fashioned lovefest between the two strongmen, with Trump in particular showering Xi with one strange platitude after another.''&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-president-zi-blunder-goes-viral-as-trump-campaign-mocked-over-tiktok-typo-during-china-visit-1778892424559">'President Zi' blunder goes viral as Trump campaign mocked over TikTok typo during China visit</a>&nbsp;“Trump: he hates China, but he loves Xi,” said Maher. “To say this was a lovefest between these two guys was an understatement. As he left, [Trump] thanked Xi profusely for his hospitality. And Xi thanked Trump for making China way more popular around the world.”&nbsp;The visit comes as Trump has been speaking harshly and is in a bitter trade war with the country for the last year. However, Maher said he believes Trump, who loves pageantry, was so soft and lovey-dovey toward the leader because Xi rolled out the red carpet for his welcome.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">People say the left and the right can’t agree on anything these days. But there is this one thing: <a href="https://t.co/G1ZTTb3ppk">pic.twitter.com/G1ZTTb3ppk</a>&mdash; Bill Maher (@billmaher) <a href="https://twitter.com/billmaher/status/2055483964023099847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-tremendous-success-trump-after-returning-from-china-says-it-was-a-historic-moment-1778891146135">'Tremendous success': Trump after returning from China; says, 'It was a historic moment'</a>&nbsp;“You know what? China knows what Trump likes,” offered Maher. “What does he like? He likes the pomp and the parades, and he likes the red carpet, and there were thousands of children waving American flags. And Xi, he’s clever, you know? He knows. He bargained like someone who knows he holds the cards now ever since Trump backed down on their big trade war.”&nbsp;“In fact, as a subtle dig, they served orange chicken,” they said.&nbsp;“Trump says with Xi, there’s no games with him. It’s getting a little weird, you know?” cracked Maher.&nbsp;“At one point, Xi told his translator, ''Tell Trump, don’t catch feelings.’”&nbsp;However, Meher's comment comes when it has been made clear that President Trump and the White House are not up for any criticism over the most talked about his China visit. Recently, Trump’s Communications Director Steven Cheung slammed The Telegraph over an article titled “How Trump lost control of the ‘best summit ever.’”&nbsp;“Probably one of the biggest fake news stories ever written during the Trump Era. The Telegraph has completely lost the plot,” Cheung said.

Bill Maher has commented on Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's meeting in China, a lovefest. 

Bill Maher has addressed President Donald Trump’s state visit to China, which he called an "old-fashioned lovefest." Maher, who like many late-night show hosts, has been a strong critic of Trump, dedicated his monologue on Friday night’s edition of his HBO show to Trump’s visit to China and his meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing. Commenting on the meeting, which was covered by media across the world, he said,''But mostly, it was an old-fashioned lovefest between the two strongmen, with Trump in particular showering Xi with one strange platitude after another.'' Also read: 'President Zi' blunder goes viral as Trump campaign mocked over TikTok typo during China visit “Trump: he hates China, but he loves Xi,” said Maher. “To say this was a lovefest between these two guys was an understatement. As he left, [Trump] thanked Xi profusely for his hospitality. And Xi thanked Trump for making China way more popular around the world.” The visit comes as Trump has been speaking harshly and is in a bitter trade war with the country for the last year. However, Maher said he believes Trump, who loves pageantry, was so soft and lovey-dovey toward the leader because Xi rolled out the red carpet for his welcome.

Bill Maher has commented on Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's meeting in China, a lovefest. Maher, who like many late-night show hosts, has been a strong critic of Trump, has slammed his visit to China.&nbsp;

Bill Maher says Donald Trump ‘hates China but loves Xi,’ calls summit a ‘lovefest’

For a brief, surreal stretch on Friday (May 15), one of the world’s most heavily guarded addresses on earth found itself facing an unexpected airborne invasion, not from protesters, drones or security threats, but from thousands of bees. A massive bee swarm swept across the White House’s North Lawn, startling reporters, disrupting media positions and triggering scenes that journalists on the ground described as something out of a disaster film. “There is a bee tornado happening here at the White House,” Fox News correspondent Alexandria Hoff said in a video from the scene as the swarm buzzed through the press staging zone known as Pebble Beach. Videos of the moment have gone viral on social media, with netizens questioning if the bees are actually a sign of biblical reckoning for US President Donald Trump and his administration. All you need to know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-there-are-youngsters-like-cockroaches-what-made-cji-surya-kant-compare-youngsters-to-pests-supreme-court-hearing-turns-explosive-1778909973915">'There are youngsters like cockroaches': What made CJI Surya Kant compare youngsters to pests? Supreme Court hearing turns explosive</a><h2>White House driveway briefly blocked</h2>Reportedly, the visuals were dramatic enough that some reporters simply turned around. NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer wrote that she encountered the swarm while arriving at the White House and immediately retreated. "Walked into the White House and a swarm of bees was blocking the driveway. Time to turn around," she said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">So a huge swarm of bees just briefly took over the north lawn driveway at the White House: <a href="https://t.co/tpUdt4CuKc">pic.twitter.com/tpUdt4CuKc</a>&mdash; Alexandria Hoff (@AlexandriaHoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexandriaHoff/status/2055360992809291976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While swarming is a natural bee behaviour, often linked to colony division when a new queen emerges, the sheer size and symbolism of the scene quickly pushed the incident beyond biology and straight into a warning of biblical apocalypse.<h2>Internet goes full apocalypse mode</h2>As videos spread, social media did what it does best: troll. Users compared the swarm to biblical plagues, divine warnings and geopolitical satire.Some joked about "spy bees," from Israel or China, others invoked Revelation, while many simply marvelled at the bizarre optics of bees appearing to "storm" the White House.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-fake-jesus-iran-turns-trump-s-deleted-ai-image-into-a-viral-lego-diss-track-amid-pope-row-in-pics-1776326285612">'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics</a>"Is this a biblical curse 2.0?," commented one. "I was expecting a swarm of locusts," joked another, even as a third user commented, "Revelations just trying to do its job…""Bees storming the White House - maybe the coming lot will be Locusts / or Plagues?" said a user, ominously adding, "BLASPHEMERS will be dealt with - most definitely!"Yet another X user quipped: "Honestly kinda understood the plagues as being figurative but I guess we are gonna be that open about it."<h2>More spectacle than threat</h2>Despite the online frenzy, there was no indication of danger beyond temporary disruption. As one user noted, "As much as I want it to be a deathly plague straight from God to curse Trump &amp; his entire administration… it just means a new 🐝 Queen 👑 was born. And that’s actually pretty cool."

For a surreal stretch on Friday, the White House faced an invasion no security drill could have predicted: thousands of bees swirling across the North Lawn, triggering “bee tornado” comparisons. The internet thinks it is a biblical prophecy. Scroll down to watch the video.

For a brief, surreal stretch on Friday (May 15), one of the world’s most heavily guarded addresses on earth found itself facing an unexpected airborne invasion, not from protesters, drones or security threats, but from thousands of bees. A massive bee swarm swept across the White House’s North Lawn, startling reporters, disrupting media positions and triggering scenes that journalists on the ground described as something out of a disaster film. “There is a bee tornado happening here at the White House,” Fox News correspondent Alexandria Hoff said in a video from the scene as the swarm buzzed through the press staging zone known as Pebble Beach. Videos of the moment have gone viral on social media, with netizens questioning if the bees are actually a sign of biblical reckoning for US President Donald Trump and his administration. All you need to know. Also read | 'There are youngsters like cockroaches': What made CJI Surya Kant compare youngsters to pests? Supreme Court hearing turns explosive White House driveway briefly blocked Reportedly, the visuals were dramatic enough that some reporters simply turned around. NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer wrote that she encountered the swarm while arriving at the White House and immediately retreated. "Walked into the White House and a swarm of bees was blocking the driveway. Time to turn around," she said.

For a surreal stretch on Friday, the White House faced an invasion no security drill could have predicted: thousands of bees swirling across the North Lawn, triggering “bee tornado” comparisons. The internet thinks it is a biblical prophecy. Scroll down to watch the video.

Watch | Thousands of bees ‘invade’ Trump's White House; spark ‘biblical plague’ buzz online: 'BLASPHEMERS will be dealt with - most definitely!'

Donald Trump has sharply criticized several media outlets over their reporting on the Iran conflict, calling parts of it “fake news” and even “treasonous.” He rejected claims that contradicted his statements on U.S. involvement and diplomatic positions regarding Iran. The remarks add to ongoing tensions between Trump and major news organizations, highlighting the deep divide over how the war and U.S. policy are being portrayed in the media.


Trump-Xi Summit: Trump Slams Media Over Iran War Coverage, Calls Reports “Fake News”

A TikTok video reportedly shared by Donald Trump’s campaign was deleted after social media users noticed a spelling mistake involving Chinese President Xi Jinping’s name. According to The Mirror US, the clip showed Trump and Xi walking together on a red carpet during Trump’s recent state visit to China, which concluded on Friday (May 15) after meetings between the two leaders. The controversy centered on text added to the TikTok video. While Trump was identified as ‘President Trump’, Xi’s name reportedly appeared as ‘President Zi’, along with a handshake emoji between the two leaders. The video was later removed from TikTok, while screenshots continued circulating online after the X account Headquarters highlighted the typo.<h2>Social media reacts to ‘President Zi’ typo</h2>The mistake quickly sparked reactions across social media, with critics mocking the campaign over the apparent error. “It’s literally two letters. You had a 50/50 chance,” one user wrote on X after screenshots of the post spread online. Another commenter criticised what they described as repeated diplomatic mistakes, writing: “The incompetence of the ENTIRE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION is staggering.” Neither the Trump campaign nor TikTok publicly commented on the reported deletion or the typo.TikTok continues to face scrutiny in the United States over national security and data privacy concerns related to its Chinese ownership. Although Trump’s Republican administration has reportedly approved a potential sale arrangement involving TikTok, the process has not yet been finalised.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-tremendous-success-trump-after-returning-from-china-says-it-was-a-historic-moment-1778891146135">'Tremendous success': Trump after returning from China; says, 'It was a historic moment'</a><h2>Watch the post by White House here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The White House has deleted a TikTok after misspelling Xi Jinping’s name at a high-stakes China visit. <a href="https://t.co/xsSAljR3aM">pic.twitter.com/xsSAljR3aM</a>&mdash; Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/HQNewsNow/status/2054940340465852857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Trump’s China visit focused on key global issues</h2>The deleted TikTok video surfaced during Trump’s multi-day visit to China, where he met Xi for talks on Taiwan, Iran, and broader US-China relations. The two leaders held discussions at Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound in Beijing, before Trump departed aboard Air Force One. Despite the public display of diplomacy during the visit, tensions between Washington and Beijing remain over trade, regional security, and Taiwan. During remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump also addressed ongoing discussions about TikTok’s future ownership structure in the United States. “I will decide,” Trump said when asked about the issue.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/report-reveals-scale-of-houthi-missile-network-iranian-weapon-parts-found-in-major-houthi-seizure-1778861783934/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/report-reveals-scale-of-houthi-missile-network-iranian-weapon-parts-found-in-major-houthi-seizure-1778861783934/embed</a>

A Trump campaign TikTok video was reportedly deleted after a typo labeled Chinese President Xi Jinping as 'President Zi', sparking online reactions

A TikTok video reportedly shared by Donald Trump’s campaign was deleted after social media users noticed a spelling mistake involving Chinese President Xi Jinping’s name. According to The Mirror US, the clip showed Trump and Xi walking together on a red carpet during Trump’s recent state visit to China, which concluded on Friday (May 15) after meetings between the two leaders. The controversy centered on text added to the TikTok video. While Trump was identified as ‘President Trump’, Xi’s name reportedly appeared as ‘President Zi’, along with a handshake emoji between the two leaders. The video was later removed from TikTok, while screenshots continued circulating online after the X account Headquarters highlighted the typo. Social media reacts to ‘President Zi’ typo The mistake quickly sparked reactions across social media, with critics mocking the campaign over the apparent error. “It’s literally two letters. You had a 50/50 chance,” one user wrote on X after screenshots of the post spread online. Another commenter criticised what they described as repeated diplomatic mistakes, writing: “The incompetence of the ENTIRE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION is staggering.” Neither the Trump campaign nor TikTok publicly commented on the reported deletion or the typo. TikTok continues to face scrutiny in the United States over national security and data privacy concerns related to its Chinese ownership. Although Trump’s Republican administration has reportedly approved a potential sale arrangement involving TikTok, the process has not yet been finalised. Also Read: 'Tremendous success': Trump after returning from China; says, 'It was a historic moment' Watch the post by White House here

The Trump campaign reportedly deleted a TikTok video after mistakenly misspelling Chinese President Xi Jinping as ‘President Zi’

'President Zi' blunder goes viral as Trump campaign mocked over TikTok typo during China visit

US President Donald Trump described his two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a major success after returning to the White House. Speaking to reporters, Trump praised the outcome of the Beijing visit and highlighted progress on trade and diplomatic relations. Asked who gained more from the summit, Trump responded: “All I can say is, that was a great success. It was fantastic.” "We made great deals, we did great trade deals, we had great relationships. And a lot of things have happened, and you’ll be hearing about them," he added. "But that was a tremendous success."&nbsp;Despite Trump’s positive remarks, the United States and China did not announce any major breakthroughs on key issues such as Iran or Taiwan, both of which were discussed during the summit. Trump also said tariff discussions were absent from the talks with Xi, despite expectations that both leaders would address the future of the one-year tariff truce agreed upon during their previous meeting in South Korea. "We didn't discuss those... It wasn't brought up," Trump said when asked about tariffs.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-national-security-disaster-democrats-accuse-trump-of-corruption-over-stock-market-transactions-1778886634859">'National security disaster': Democrats accuse Trump of corruption over stock market transactions</a><h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> arrives back at the White House: &quot;All I can say is that was a great success... We made great deals. We did great trade deals... A lot of things have happened and you&#39;ll be hearing about them — but that was a tremendous success. I think it really was a historic moment.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/dH5h5UtJFI">pic.twitter.com/dH5h5UtJFI</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2055425919234220304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The earlier truce had paused an intense trade war between the two economic powers, during which tariffs on several products climbed above 100 per cent. Trade conditions have since changed. Washington continued to maintain some tariffs linked to allegations surrounding China’s role in fentanyl supply chains and claims of unfair trade practices. In February, the US Supreme Court struck down several Trump-era duties, including measures tied to drug trafficking concerns. The White House later introduced a temporary 10-percent global tariff while pursuing investigations that could result in permanent duties.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wifi-willpower-gaza-s-online-workers-push-through-adversity-1778868974175/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/wifi-willpower-gaza-s-online-workers-push-through-adversity-1778868974175/embed</a>&nbsp;The temporary tariff policy is also facing legal challenges in US courts. Trump arrived in Beijing earlier this week, aiming to secure agreements in sectors including agriculture, aviation, and artificial intelligence. After the first day of meetings, Trump claimed Xi had agreed to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and increase Chinese purchases of Boeing aircraft, American oil, and soybeans. However, no formal agreements have been announced, and China’s foreign ministry declined to confirm Trump’s statements during a press briefing on Friday.

Donald Trump hailed his summit with Xi Jinping as a 'tremendous success', despite no formal announcements on tariffs, Taiwan, Iran, or major US-China trade agreements

US President Donald Trump described his two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a major success after returning to the White House. Speaking to reporters, Trump praised the outcome of the Beijing visit and highlighted progress on trade and diplomatic relations. Asked who gained more from the summit, Trump responded: “All I can say is, that was a great success. It was fantastic.” "We made great deals, we did great trade deals, we had great relationships. And a lot of things have happened, and you’ll be hearing about them," he added. "But that was a tremendous success." Despite Trump’s positive remarks, the United States and China did not announce any major breakthroughs on key issues such as Iran or Taiwan, both of which were discussed during the summit. Trump also said tariff discussions were absent from the talks with Xi, despite expectations that both leaders would address the future of the one-year tariff truce agreed upon during their previous meeting in South Korea. "We didn't discuss those... It wasn't brought up," Trump said when asked about tariffs. Also Read: 'National security disaster': Democrats accuse Trump of corruption over stock market transactions Watch the video here

Donald Trump says meeting with Xi Jinping was a ‘tremendous success’, but no major breakthroughs on tariffs, Taiwan, Iran, or trade deals were announced

'Tremendous success': Trump after returning from China; says, 'It was a historic moment'

A video from a meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in Beijing has gone viral on social media, sparking debate over whether Trump was intentionally made to appear shorter during the talks. The clip, widely circulated on X and other platforms, shows Xi seated on what users claim appears to be a slightly taller sofa than Trump’s during the bilateral meeting. “The sofa must be custom-made. The sofa Xi Jinping sat on was clearly higher than Trump’s sofa, while Trump is 10 cm taller than Xi Jinping. The CCP spares no effort in scheming over these details,” one X user claimed while sharing the video.&nbsp;Another viral post suggested a different version of events, claiming Trump removed a cushion from his own seat. “The Chinese president measured it out to the centimeter by placing a small cushion on Trump’s chair so that they would appear to be the same height. Trump ordered the cushion to be removed... which made him look shorter than the Chinese president while sitting,” the post said. Trump was visiting China on a three-day official trip at Xi’s invitation, marking the first visit to China by a sitting US president in nine years. The US president departed China on Friday after highlighting several business agreements reached during the visit, even as Beijing cautioned Washington against mishandling the Taiwan issue and criticised the Iran war.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-on-almost-all-matters-we-found-common-ground-despite-differences-mea-on-brics-1778873840071">'On almost all matters, we found common ground despite differences': MEA on BRICS</a><h2>‘You wouldn’t find a guy like him in Hollywood’: Trump praises Xi</h2>“We’ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to solve,” Trump said after meeting Xi in Beijing during the second day of talks.Social media platforms have since been flooded with memes, clips, and commentary from Trump’s visit to China. In another widely shared video, Xi pauses briefly while walking beside Trump up the stairs at the Great Hall of the People. “During the walk up to the Great Hall of the People, Xi Jinping noticed Trump appeared tired on the stairs, so he paused and gave a brief explanation of the square, allowing him a moment to catch his breath,” a post accompanying the video claimed.&nbsp;Earlier reports also alleged that Trump, who has repeatedly said he does not consume alcohol, was served wine during a ceremonial toast in China. On Friday, Trump praised Xi’s leadership and stature while speaking about the Chinese president. “You wouldn’t find a guy like him in Hollywood,” Trump said while lauding Xi. “They always criticize me when I say good things about certain leaders, and this one, but... he's led almost 1.5 billion people for a long time, and he's respected,” Trump added. Trump also commented on Xi’s physical appearance, describing him as “very tall” and suggesting Hollywood would struggle to find an actor capable of portraying him convincingly on screen.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/explosions-in-bolivian-capital-as-protesters-and-police-engage-in-clashes-1778865385016/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/explosions-in-bolivian-capital-as-protesters-and-police-engage-in-clashes-1778865385016/embed</a>

Viral videos from Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s Beijing meeting spark online debate over sofa height, body language, diplomacy, and Trump’s praise for Xi

A video from a meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in Beijing has gone viral on social media, sparking debate over whether Trump was intentionally made to appear shorter during the talks. The clip, widely circulated on X and other platforms, shows Xi seated on what users claim appears to be a slightly taller sofa than Trump’s during the bilateral meeting. “The sofa must be custom-made. The sofa Xi Jinping sat on was clearly higher than Trump’s sofa, while Trump is 10 cm taller than Xi Jinping. The CCP spares no effort in scheming over these details,” one X user claimed while sharing the video. Another viral post suggested a different version of events, claiming Trump removed a cushion from his own seat. “The Chinese president measured it out to the centimeter by placing a small cushion on Trump’s chair so that they would appear to be the same height. Trump ordered the cushion to be removed... which made him look shorter than the Chinese president while sitting,” the post said. Trump was visiting China on a three-day official trip at Xi’s invitation, marking the first visit to China by a sitting US president in nine years. The US president departed China on Friday after highlighting several business agreements reached during the visit, even as Beijing cautioned Washington against mishandling the Taiwan issue and criticised the Iran war. Also Read: 'On almost all matters, we found common ground despite differences': MEA on BRICS ‘You wouldn’t find a guy like him in Hollywood’: Trump praises Xi “We’ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to solve,” Trump said after meeting Xi in Beijing during the second day of talks. Social media platforms have since been flooded with memes, clips, and commentary from Trump’s visit to China. In another widely shared video, Xi pauses briefly while walking beside Trump up the stairs at the Great Hall of the People. “During the walk up to the Great Hall of the People, Xi Jinping noticed Trump appeared tired on the stairs, so he paused and gave a brief explanation of the square, allowing him a moment to catch his breath,” a post accompanying the video claimed. Earlier reports also alleged that Trump, who has repeatedly said he does not consume alcohol, was served wine during a ceremonial toast in China. On Friday, Trump praised Xi’s leadership and stature while speaking about the Chinese president. “You wouldn’t find a guy like him in Hollywood,” Trump said while lauding Xi. “They always criticize me when I say good things about certain leaders, and this one, but... he's led almost 1.5 billion people for a long time, and he's respected,” Trump added. Trump also commented on Xi’s physical appearance, describing him as “very tall” and suggesting Hollywood would struggle to find an actor capable of portraying him convincingly on screen. https://www.wionews.com/videos/explosions-in-bolivian-capital-as-protesters-and-police-engage-in-clashes-1778865385016/embed

Viral videos from Donald Trump’s China visit sparked online debate over Xi Jinping’s sofa height, stairway moments, and diplomatic optics

'The sofa was clearly higher': Here's how social media reacted to Trump-Xi viral video

Jimmy Lai, 78, is the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, once one of Hong Kong’s most influential media outlets. 

Trump says Chinese President signalled Jimmy Lai’s release unlikely — Who is the jailed Hong Kong media mogul?

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that the US objective of securing the enriched Uranium from Iran is a public relations exercise, while playing down the necessity of retrieving the material. While he reiterated his commitment to remove enriched uranium from Iran. During a televised interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump said that recovering the material is unnecessary because the US maintains round-the-clock military surveillance over the sites.&nbsp;“We have nine cameras on that site, on those three sites, 24 hours a day,” Trump said. “We know exactly what’s happening. Nobody’s even gotten close to it. But he said he wants to get the material out of the country, “I just feel better if I got it, actually,” Trump said. “But it’s, I think it’s more for public relations than it is for anything else.”&nbsp; He specifically noted it as an objective after Israel demanded it as a critical goal. The highly enriched Uranium is currently believed to be buried under the rubble of the Iranian nuclear sites, following the previous US-Israeli military strikes. He also raised the prospect of bombing the site again to make it inaccessible.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/petrol-diesel-price-hike-hpcl-bpcl-ioc-shares-fall-1778835143115">Petrol-Diesel price hike explained: Why ₹3 increase may not be enough</a>Trump detailed the ongoing back and forth in the negotiations, saying that Iranian leadership at first agreed to hand over the material, and then backtracked from the decision. “They agreed to it, but then they take it back, and they agree,” said Trump.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump and his entourage were in China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. The conversation mentioned the West Asia war and the Hormuz crisis. Trump said that China had agreed to the establishment of free flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz without any sort of toll, and agreed that Tehran shouldn’t have a nuclear weapon. Beijing didn't make any specific public remark about the matter.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said retrieving Iran’s enriched uranium is largely a “public relations” objective, claiming the US already has constant surveillance over Iranian nuclear sites. Trump also discussed the Strait of Hormuz crisis during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that the US objective of securing the enriched Uranium from Iran is a public relations exercise, while playing down the necessity of retrieving the material. While he reiterated his commitment to remove enriched uranium from Iran. During a televised interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump said that recovering the material is unnecessary because the US maintains round-the-clock military surveillance over the sites. “We have nine cameras on that site, on those three sites, 24 hours a day,” Trump said. “We know exactly what’s happening. Nobody’s even gotten close to it. But he said he wants to get the material out of the country, “I just feel better if I got it, actually,” Trump said. “But it’s, I think it’s more for public relations than it is for anything else.” He specifically noted it as an objective after Israel demanded it as a critical goal. The highly enriched Uranium is currently believed to be buried under the rubble of the Iranian nuclear sites, following the previous US-Israeli military strikes. He also raised the prospect of bombing the site again to make it inaccessible. Also Read: Petrol-Diesel price hike explained: Why ₹3 increase may not be enough Trump detailed the ongoing back and forth in the negotiations, saying that Iranian leadership at first agreed to hand over the material, and then backtracked from the decision. “They agreed to it, but then they take it back, and they agree,” said Trump. US President Donald Trump and his entourage were in China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. The conversation mentioned the West Asia war and the Hormuz crisis. Trump said that China had agreed to the establishment of free flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz without any sort of toll, and agreed that Tehran shouldn’t have a nuclear weapon. Beijing didn't make any specific public remark about the matter.

US President Donald Trump said retrieving Iran’s enriched uranium is largely a “public relations” objective, claiming the US already has constant surveillance over Iranian nuclear sites. Trump also discussed the Strait of Hormuz crisis during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump says retrieving Iran’s enriched uranium is ‘more PR than necessity’

Financial disclosures linked to Donald Trump have revealed large-scale stock market activity during the first quarter of 2026, raising questions about how policy decisions and financial markets may intersect.According to official filings released in May, the disclosures show around 3,600 to 3,700 stock and ETF transactions between January and March. The total reported value of these trades is estimated to be between $220 million and $750 million, based on broad ranges provided in the forms.&nbsp;<h2>Large-scale trading across sectors</h2>The filings show that the portfolio included a mix of purchases and sales, with buying activity generally higher than selling. Much of the trading was carried out through managed accounts linked to family trusts, where brokers may have executed trades on behalf of the account holders. The data points to significant activity in sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, defence and financial services. These sectors are often influenced by government policies, including trade decisions, regulation and public spending.<h2>Key stocks and sectors in focus</h2>The disclosures indicate investments in major technology companies and semiconductor firms. Stocks linked to artificial intelligence and chip manufacturing saw notable buying activity, including companies such as Nvidia and Apple. At the same time, there were large sales in companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Meta, even though exposure to big technology firms remained strong overall.Other areas of activity included:Defence and aerospace companies such as Boeing and Palantir Financial institutions including Bank of America and Goldman Sachs Broad market exposure through S&amp;P 500 index funds and exchange-traded fundsThis mix suggests a diversified approach, with investments spread across sectors tied to economic growth and government policy.<h2>Policy announcements and market movements</h2>During the period covered by the disclosures, several policy announcements influenced market behaviour. Decisions related to tariffs, trade negotiations and international relations contributed to both market gains and declines. For example, tariff-related announcements were followed by market volatility, while pauses or adjustments in policy often led to broader market rallies.Analysts note that some of the sectors included in the portfolio, particularly technology and defence, tend to respond quickly to such developments.<h2>Questions around timing and transparency</h2>The scale and timing of the trading activity have led to discussions among analysts and policymakers. While the disclosures provide insight into overall activity, they do not confirm whether individual trades were directly ordered by the president. Many transactions are listed as being handled by brokers or managed through trusts. This makes it difficult to determine the exact decision-making process behind each trade.In addition, the filings do not include exact transaction dates, prices or profits, as they are reported in value ranges.Limitations of the disclosure dataExperts highlight several limitations in the data:Transactions are reported in broad value rangesExact timing of trades is not disclosedSome trades may involve different financial instrumentsManaged accounts reduce clarity on direct involvementBecause of these factors, the disclosures provide an overview rather than a complete picture of financial activity.<h2>What this means for markets and governance</h2>The filings show how closely investment patterns can align with sectors influenced by government policy. For investors, the data reflects broader trends in areas such as AI, defence and financial services. For policymakers and observers, the disclosures have renewed discussions around transparency and oversight in financial reporting for public officials. As more detailed reports become available later in the year, they may offer further clarity on how financial activity and policy decisions interact in practice.&nbsp;

Financial disclosures linked to Donald Trump have revealed large-scale stock market activity during the first quarter of 2026, raising questions about how policy decisions and financial markets may intersect.


Financial disclosures linked to Donald Trump have revealed large-scale stock market activity during the first quarter of 2026, raising questions about how policy decisions and financial markets may intersect. According to official filings released in May, the disclosures show around 3,600 to 3,700 stock and ETF transactions between January and March. The total reported value of these trades is estimated to be between $220 million and $750 million, based on broad ranges provided in the forms. Large-scale trading across sectors The filings show that the portfolio included a mix of purchases and sales, with buying activity generally higher than selling. Much of the trading was carried out through managed accounts linked to family trusts, where brokers may have executed trades on behalf of the account holders. The data points to significant activity in sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, defence and financial services. These sectors are often influenced by government policies, including trade decisions, regulation and public spending. Key stocks and sectors in focus The disclosures indicate investments in major technology companies and semiconductor firms. Stocks linked to artificial intelligence and chip manufacturing saw notable buying activity, including companies such as Nvidia and Apple. At the same time, there were large sales in companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Meta, even though exposure to big technology firms remained strong overall. Other areas of activity included: Defence and aerospace companies such as Boeing and Palantir Financial institutions including Bank of America and Goldman Sachs Broad market exposure through S&P 500 index funds and exchange-traded funds This mix suggests a diversified approach, with investments spread across sectors tied to economic growth and government policy. Policy announcements and market movements During the period covered by the disclosures, several policy announcements influenced market behaviour. Decisions related to tariffs, trade negotiations and international relations contributed to both market gains and declines. For example, tariff-related announcements were followed by market volatility, while pauses or adjustments in policy often led to broader market rallies. Analysts note that some of the sectors included in the portfolio, particularly technology and defence, tend to respond quickly to such developments. Questions around timing and transparency The scale and timing of the trading activity have led to discussions among analysts and policymakers. While the disclosures provide insight into overall activity, they do not confirm whether individual trades were directly ordered by the president. Many transactions are listed as being handled by brokers or managed through trusts. This makes it difficult to determine the exact decision-making process behind each trade. In addition, the filings do not include exact transaction dates, prices or profits, as they are reported in value ranges. Limitations of the disclosure data Experts highlight several limitations in the data: Transactions are reported in broad value ranges Exact timing of trades is not disclosed Some trades may involve different financial instruments Managed accounts reduce clarity on direct involvement Because of these factors, the disclosures provide an overview rather than a complete picture of financial activity. What this means for markets and governance The filings show how closely investment patterns can align with sectors influenced by government policy. For investors, the data reflects broader trends in areas such as AI, defence and financial services. For policymakers and observers, the disclosures have renewed discussions around transparency and oversight in financial reporting for public officials. As more detailed reports become available later in the year, they may offer further clarity on how financial activity and policy decisions interact in practice.

Financial disclosures linked to Donald Trump have revealed large-scale stock market activity during the first quarter of 2026, raising questions about how policy decisions and financial markets may intersect.

Trump stock trades under focus as disclosures show active market participation

At the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker peace with Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The discussions reportedly focused on regional stability, the Strait of Hormuz, and concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.


Trump-Xi Summit: Trump Says Xi Offered To Help Broker Peace With Iran

The Trump administration is facing mounting pressure at home as the economic fallout from the ongoing Iran war deepens.
With fuel prices climbing and inflation surging sharply, the White House is now scrambling to contain public anger ahead of the midterm elections.

White House Looking at Steps to Ease Gas Price

We begin with a major disclosure from President Donald Trump’s financial activity during the March quarter.
According to a federal ethics disclosure document, Trump reported a staggering 3,642 trades involving publicly listed companies between January 1st and March 31st.
The filing has immediately triggered political scrutiny and renewed debate over ethics and potential conflicts of interest at the highest levels of power in Washington.

Trump's Financial Dealings Under Scanner

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host the US President at Zhongnanhai during the Trump–Xi summit, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two global powers. The meeting is expected to focus on trade tensions, geopolitical rivalry, and regional security concerns, with both sides seeking limited areas of cooperation amid broader strategic competition.


Trump-Xi Summit: President Xi to Host US Leader at Zhongnanhai 

Former President Barack Obama is once again defending diplomacy with Iran as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise, pointing to the 2015 nuclear agreement as proof that Iran’s nuclear ambitions could be restrained without military intervention. Speaking during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Obama reflected on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the landmark nuclear accord negotiated during his administration. “We went about trying to negotiate a diplomatic agreement that would get the enriched uranium out of Iran, that would assure they could not get to a nuclear weapon without us knowing about it…and that there were mechanisms in place to enforce it and verify it,” Obama told host Stephen Colbert.&nbsp;“And we pulled it off without firing a missile,” he added. The JCPOA was signed between Iran and world powers, including the US, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The agreement placed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Obama explained that while military action against Iran was considered, his administration viewed force as a final option. “My basic theory was that Iran couldn’t become a nuclear state, that the regime itself was murderous, oftentimes towards its own people, engaged in state-sponsored terrorism, was a threat to the United States and allies of ours, so the idea that they would have nuclear weapons would be extraordinarily dangerous,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-xi-summit-wall-street-hits-record-highs-as-tech-and-ai-stocks-power-markets-1778807767538">Trump-Xi Summit: Wall Street hits record highs as tech and AI stocks power markets</a>&nbsp;“What I also believed was that the regime was not entirely irrational, that they had a survival instinct, and that when you carry out the military force, innocent people die.”Under the agreement, Iran sharply reduced its stockpile of enriched uranium and allowed international inspectors to monitor its nuclear facilities. Tehran was permitted to retain limited low-enriched uranium for civilian energy use. “There’s no dispute that it worked, and we didn’t, we didn’t have to kill a whole bunch of people or shut down the Strait of Hormuz,” Obama argued.&nbsp;The deal remained active until 2018, when President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement, calling it “a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.” Following the US withdrawal, Iran gradually expanded its uranium enrichment program. The JCPOA had capped enrichment below 4 percent, but Iran now possesses uranium enriched to 60 percent, significantly closer to weapons-grade levels. Critics of the agreement have long argued that the deal’s sunset clauses only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions rather than permanently ending them.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-summit-us-china-signal-selective-trade-reset-1778812165166/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-summit-us-china-signal-selective-trade-reset-1778812165166/embed</a>&nbsp;Trump has maintained that Iran should not be allowed to possess any highly enriched uranium and continues to push for a tougher agreement amid renewed negotiations and regional instability. “If a Deal happens under ‘TRUMP,’ it will guarantee Peace, Security, and Safety, not only for Israel and the Middle East, but for Europe, America, and everywhere else,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post in April.&nbsp;“It will be something that the entire World will be proud of, instead of the years of Embarrassment and Humiliation that we have been forced to suffer due to incompetent and cowardly leadership!” Recent exchanges of fire between the U.S. and Iran have further escalated tensions, while Pakistani intermediaries continue efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire between the two nations.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Former President Barack Obama defended the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying diplomacy successfully curbed Tehran’s nuclear ambitions without military action as US-Iran tensions rise again

Former President Barack Obama is once again defending diplomacy with Iran as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise, pointing to the 2015 nuclear agreement as proof that Iran’s nuclear ambitions could be restrained without military intervention. Speaking during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Obama reflected on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the landmark nuclear accord negotiated during his administration. “We went about trying to negotiate a diplomatic agreement that would get the enriched uranium out of Iran, that would assure they could not get to a nuclear weapon without us knowing about it…and that there were mechanisms in place to enforce it and verify it,” Obama told host Stephen Colbert. “And we pulled it off without firing a missile,” he added. The JCPOA was signed between Iran and world powers, including the US, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The agreement placed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Obama explained that while military action against Iran was considered, his administration viewed force as a final option. “My basic theory was that Iran couldn’t become a nuclear state, that the regime itself was murderous, oftentimes towards its own people, engaged in state-sponsored terrorism, was a threat to the United States and allies of ours, so the idea that they would have nuclear weapons would be extraordinarily dangerous,” he said. Also Read: Trump-Xi Summit: Wall Street hits record highs as tech and AI stocks power markets “What I also believed was that the regime was not entirely irrational, that they had a survival instinct, and that when you carry out the military force, innocent people die.” Under the agreement, Iran sharply reduced its stockpile of enriched uranium and allowed international inspectors to monitor its nuclear facilities. Tehran was permitted to retain limited low-enriched uranium for civilian energy use. “There’s no dispute that it worked, and we didn’t, we didn’t have to kill a whole bunch of people or shut down the Strait of Hormuz,” Obama argued. The deal remained active until 2018, when President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement, calling it “a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.” Following the US withdrawal, Iran gradually expanded its uranium enrichment program. The JCPOA had capped enrichment below 4 percent, but Iran now possesses uranium enriched to 60 percent, significantly closer to weapons-grade levels. Critics of the agreement have long argued that the deal’s sunset clauses only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions rather than permanently ending them. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-summit-us-china-signal-selective-trade-reset-1778812165166/embed Trump has maintained that Iran should not be allowed to possess any highly enriched uranium and continues to push for a tougher agreement amid renewed negotiations and regional instability. “If a Deal happens under ‘TRUMP,’ it will guarantee Peace, Security, and Safety, not only for Israel and the Middle East, but for Europe, America, and everywhere else,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post in April. “It will be something that the entire World will be proud of, instead of the years of Embarrassment and Humiliation that we have been forced to suffer due to incompetent and cowardly leadership!” Recent exchanges of fire between the U.S. and Iran have further escalated tensions, while Pakistani intermediaries continue efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire between the two nations. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Former US President Barack Obama says the 2015 Iran nuclear deal proved diplomacy could curb Tehran’s nuclear program without war or military strikes

'We pulled it off without firing a missile': Former US President Barack Obama's BIG statement on Iran

At the Trump–Xi summit, the US President stated that China has offered assistance in efforts related to reopening or stabilizing the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional tensions. The remarks come as global energy security remains under pressure due to volatility in the Middle East. Discussions between Washington and Beijing also touched on broader trade and geopolitical cooperation, though key strategic differences persist.


Trump-Xi Summit: US President Says China Offered Help to Open Hormuz

During the meeting with Xi Jinping in China, Donald Trump underscored his longstanding personal relationship with Xi, saying their direct communication had helped resolve differences between the two nations over the years. Trump described the relationship as historic and praised Xi’s leadership. Trump said, "You and I have known each other now for a long time. In fact, the longest relationship of our two countries that any President and President has had. And that's, to me, an honour. We've had a fantastic relationship. We've gotten along. When there were difficulties, we worked it out. I would call you, and you would call me. Whenever we had a problem, we worked it out very quickly, and we're going to have a fantastic future together." Highlighting the economic agenda of his visit, Trump noted that several top American business leaders were part of his delegation and were keen to strengthen trade ties with China. Concluding his remarks, Trump struck an optimistic tone about bilateral relations, saying it was “an honour” to call Xi his friend and expressing confidence that ties between China and the United States would become “better than ever before.”<h3>Xi on China-US meeting</h3>In his opening remarks, Xi Jinping said the world was closely monitoring the meeting, describing the talks as a crucial moment that could shape future global stability. "Welcome back to China after 9 years. The whole world is watching our meeting. Currently, a transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides trap and create a new paradigm of major country relations?" He said. He also urged deeper cooperation between Beijing and Washington, cautioning against escalating competition between the two nations. He said, “Can we meet global challenges together and provide more stability for the world? Can we, in the interests of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations? These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people. They are the questions of our times that you and I need to answer as leaders of major countries... I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one is an opportunity for the other. And a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world. China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We should help each other succeed and prosper together and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era...”

Highlighting the economic agenda of his visit, Trump noted that several top American business leaders were part of his delegation and were keen to strengthen trade ties with China. 

During the meeting with Xi Jinping in China, Donald Trump underscored his longstanding personal relationship with Xi, saying their direct communication had helped resolve differences between the two nations over the years. Trump described the relationship as historic and praised Xi’s leadership. Trump said, "You and I have known each other now for a long time. In fact, the longest relationship of our two countries that any President and President has had. And that's, to me, an honour. We've had a fantastic relationship. We've gotten along. When there were difficulties, we worked it out. I would call you, and you would call me. Whenever we had a problem, we worked it out very quickly, and we're going to have a fantastic future together." Highlighting the economic agenda of his visit, Trump noted that several top American business leaders were part of his delegation and were keen to strengthen trade ties with China. Concluding his remarks, Trump struck an optimistic tone about bilateral relations, saying it was “an honour” to call Xi his friend and expressing confidence that ties between China and the United States would become “better than ever before.” Xi on China-US meeting In his opening remarks, Xi Jinping said the world was closely monitoring the meeting, describing the talks as a crucial moment that could shape future global stability. "Welcome back to China after 9 years. The whole world is watching our meeting. Currently, a transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides trap and create a new paradigm of major country relations?" He said. He also urged deeper cooperation between Beijing and Washington, cautioning against escalating competition between the two nations. He said, “Can we meet global challenges together and provide more stability for the world? Can we, in the interests of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations? These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people. They are the questions of our times that you and I need to answer as leaders of major countries... I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one is an opportunity for the other. And a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world. China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We should help each other succeed and prosper together and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era...”

Highlighting the economic agenda of his visit, Trump noted that several top American business leaders were part of his delegation and were keen to strengthen trade ties with China.&nbsp;

‘We’ve had fantastic relationship’: Trump recalls his ties with Xi during US-China meet

Donald Trump is considering to issue 250 pardons on his own birthday or on America’s 250th anniversary of independence, according to a new report. However, Trump has already faced criticism for issuing an historic number of pardons since after coming to power for second time.

Trump to issue 250 presidential pardons on his birthday? Here's what reports say

US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, in his trip to Beijing, met Chinese President Xi Jinping for two hours and 15 minutes after an elaborate arrival ceremony. When reporters asked how the talks with Xi went, he said it was “great”. When repeatedly asked about Taiwan, Trump did not engage with reporters as he left the Temple of Heaven. Xi, on the other hand, said that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations.&nbsp;“It’s great. Great place, incredible. China is beautiful,” said US President Donald Trump to the reporter, but he refused to respond to the questions as he posed alongside Xi for photos after they arrived at the Temple of Heaven. Chinese President Xi has said that “Taiwan independence” and cross-Strait peace would decide the stability of the “bilateral” relation. But if mishandled, it would put the nations in a “very dangerous place.”According to Chinese media reports, the meeting, which lasted over two hours, centred on Taiwan. President Xi's direct warning about "clashes" is a shift from the traditional diplomatic rhetoric.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-truth-social-meltdown-iran-report-china-visit-1778678353692">Trump melts down after US media shows Iran retains missile capabilities</a>The US has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear position of firm support for Taiwan, and the government is very grateful, Executive Yuan spokeswoman Michelle Lee said when asked about the summit between Trump and Xi. Even Jensen Huang, the NVIDIA CEO who is in Trump's camp, has deep personal and professional ties to Taiwan. Taiwan serves as the backbone of NVIDIA's chip manufacturing. By calling for Taiwan independence, China has shifted the premise; it is capitalising on the US being preoccupied with Iran and trade objectives by drawing a “red line”.&nbsp;This followed a public opening remark at the Great Hall of the People, where Trump said, “You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.” “It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend,” Trump said, before adding that “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump refused to answer questions on Taiwan after a two-hour meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Xi warned that mishandling Taiwan could push US-China relations into a “very dangerous place.”

US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, in his trip to Beijing, met Chinese President Xi Jinping for two hours and 15 minutes after an elaborate arrival ceremony. When reporters asked how the talks with Xi went, he said it was “great”. When repeatedly asked about Taiwan, Trump did not engage with reporters as he left the Temple of Heaven. Xi, on the other hand, said that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. “It’s great. Great place, incredible. China is beautiful,” said US President Donald Trump to the reporter, but he refused to respond to the questions as he posed alongside Xi for photos after they arrived at the Temple of Heaven. Chinese President Xi has said that “Taiwan independence” and cross-Strait peace would decide the stability of the “bilateral” relation. But if mishandled, it would put the nations in a “very dangerous place.” According to Chinese media reports, the meeting, which lasted over two hours, centred on Taiwan. President Xi's direct warning about "clashes" is a shift from the traditional diplomatic rhetoric. Also Read: Trump melts down after US media shows Iran retains missile capabilities The US has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear position of firm support for Taiwan, and the government is very grateful, Executive Yuan spokeswoman Michelle Lee said when asked about the summit between Trump and Xi. Even Jensen Huang, the NVIDIA CEO who is in Trump's camp, has deep personal and professional ties to Taiwan. Taiwan serves as the backbone of NVIDIA's chip manufacturing. By calling for Taiwan independence, China has shifted the premise; it is capitalising on the US being preoccupied with Iran and trade objectives by drawing a “red line”. This followed a public opening remark at the Great Hall of the People, where Trump said, “You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.” “It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend,” Trump said, before adding that “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”

US President Donald Trump refused to answer questions on Taiwan after a two-hour meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Xi warned that mishandling Taiwan could push US-China relations into a “very dangerous place.”

Trump dodges Taiwan questions following two-hour summit with Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened his high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 14) by striking a tone of warmth, caution and strategic optimism, telling the US president he was "happy" to welcome him back to Beijing at what he described as a moment when the world stands at a historic "crossroads." Seated at the head of the table inside the Great Hall of the People, Xi framed the meeting as bigger than a routine bilateral engagement, presenting it instead as a defining moment for global stability."A stable China-US relationship is a boon for the world. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. We should be partners and not rivals," Xi said, adding in a pointed remark that "The world today is at a crossroads," and that China and the United States should choose partnership over confrontation. "China and the United States should be partners, not rivals," the Chinese leader told Trump, in remarks clearly aimed at lowering the temperature after years of trade wars, technology sanctions and mounting geopolitical distrust.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-ultimate-frenemies-from-big-fat-hug-to-bitter-trade-wars-analysing-a-decade-of-trump-xi-rollercoaster-equation-1778571377420">The ultimate frenemies? From ‘big, fat hug’ to bitter trade wars, analysing a decade of Trump-Xi rollercoaster equation</a><h2>Trump touts 'fantastic future together'</h2>The POTUS, for his part, responded in characteristically expansive fashion. "We’re going to have a fantastic future together,” the US president declared, praising Xi as a "great leader" and repeatedly highlighting what he called their "fantastic relationship."Calling the summit "maybe the biggest summit ever," Trump said the ceremony itself was "an honour like few I’ve ever seen before.""It's an honour to be with you. It's an honour to be your friend," Trump added. "The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before." Trump’s rhetoric leaned heavily on personal chemistry, a familiar hallmark of his diplomacy with Xi dating back to their first Mar-a-Lago meeting in 2017.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-two-timed-trump-report-reveals-islamabad-quietly-sheltered-iranian-military-aircraft-while-brokering-peace-talks-1778551810479">Pakistan two-timed Trump? Report REVEALS Islamabad quietly sheltered Iranian military aircraft while playing mediator in Iran war</a><h2>Warm opening remarks amid global tensions</h2>The two leaders met on the steps of the Great Hall of the People with a handshake, as opposed to the "big, fat hug" Trump was expecting from the Chinese president. The two leaders shook hands after Trump arrived in a motorcade to the steps, where a US delegation, including State Secretary Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and business CEOs, including Elon Musk, awaited him.The opening exchange, rich in personal compliments and diplomatic symbolism, offered a carefully choreographed contrast to the deep tensions hanging over the summit, including disputes over Iran, Taiwan, tariffs, technology restrictions and strategic competition in Asia.&nbsp;

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the Beijing talks by noting that the world was “at a crossroads” and urged the US to be China’s “partner, not rival.” What did Trump say? Scroll down.

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened his high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 14) by striking a tone of warmth, caution and strategic optimism, telling the US president he was "happy" to welcome him back to Beijing at what he described as a moment when the world stands at a historic "crossroads." Seated at the head of the table inside the Great Hall of the People, Xi framed the meeting as bigger than a routine bilateral engagement, presenting it instead as a defining moment for global stability. "A stable China-US relationship is a boon for the world. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. We should be partners and not rivals," Xi said, adding in a pointed remark that "The world today is at a crossroads," and that China and the United States should choose partnership over confrontation. "China and the United States should be partners, not rivals," the Chinese leader told Trump, in remarks clearly aimed at lowering the temperature after years of trade wars, technology sanctions and mounting geopolitical distrust. Also read | The ultimate frenemies? From ‘big, fat hug’ to bitter trade wars, analysing a decade of Trump-Xi rollercoaster equation Trump touts 'fantastic future together' The POTUS, for his part, responded in characteristically expansive fashion. "We’re going to have a fantastic future together,” the US president declared, praising Xi as a "great leader" and repeatedly highlighting what he called their "fantastic relationship." Calling the summit "maybe the biggest summit ever," Trump said the ceremony itself was "an honour like few I’ve ever seen before." "It's an honour to be with you. It's an honour to be your friend," Trump added. "The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before." Trump’s rhetoric leaned heavily on personal chemistry, a familiar hallmark of his diplomacy with Xi dating back to their first Mar-a-Lago meeting in 2017. Also read | Pakistan two-timed Trump? Report REVEALS Islamabad quietly sheltered Iranian military aircraft while playing mediator in Iran war Warm opening remarks amid global tensions The two leaders met on the steps of the Great Hall of the People with a handshake, as opposed to the "big, fat hug" Trump was expecting from the Chinese president. The two leaders shook hands after Trump arrived in a motorcade to the steps, where a US delegation, including State Secretary Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and business CEOs, including Elon Musk, awaited him. The opening exchange, rich in personal compliments and diplomatic symbolism, offered a carefully choreographed contrast to the deep tensions hanging over the summit, including disputes over Iran, Taiwan, tariffs, technology restrictions and strategic competition in Asia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the Beijing talks by noting that the world was “at a crossroads” and urged the US to be China’s “partner, not rival.” What did Trump say? Scroll down.

'World at crossroads': Xi Jinping tells Trump China and United States 'should be partners, not rivals'

President Trump and President Xi are meeting in Beijing, with U.S. officials balancing crucial economic engagement against significant national security concerns, including AI risks and tech transfer. The summit aims to stabilize trade, with US CEOs seeking greater market access, while navigating tensions over Taiwan, Iran, and technology restrictions.


US President Donald Trump’s Busy Schedule During His Three-Day China Visit

US President Donald Trump Set to Meet Chinese President Xi Jinping

#Gravitas U.S. President Donald Trump has landed in Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with some of America’s richest and most influential business leaders whose combined fortunes and companies shape the global economy.


Trump Brings Silicon Valley, Wall Street to China Talks

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Trump-Xi Meeting: China Prez Xi Likely to Push Back on Taiwan-US Policy

US President Donald Trump had a meltdown on the Truth Social platform just before he kicked off his tour to China. Trump lashed out in an aggressive social media post attack on domestic media outlets, accusing them of “aiding and abetting the enemy”. This reaction was triggered by a New York Times report which claimed that despite the victory laps from Trump and Hegseth, Iran has access to most of its missile sites, launchers and underground facilities. The report flags the most alarming statistics, claiming that Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites it maintains along the Strait of Hormuz, which could threaten US access and threaten its naval blockade.&nbsp;“When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement,” wrote Trump in a social media post. '“When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement,” said Trump. He called them “losers, ingrates and fools” and accused them of rooting against their own country.“Iran had 159 ships in their Navy — Every single ship is now resting at the bottom of the sea,” he continued. “They have no Navy, their Air Force is gone, all Technology is gone, their ‘leaders’ are no longer with us, and the Country is an Economic Disaster.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-sarmat-icbm-world-most-powerful-nuclear-missile-1778671275437">What is the Sarmat ICBM 'world’s most powerful nuclear missile'? Russia claims new missile can bypass all defence systems</a>The report claimed that Iran has maintained control of 70-75 per cent of it pre-war missile launchers and 70 per cent of its missile stockpile. Iran has regained access to roughly 90 per cent of its underground missile storage and launch facilities nationwide, which were previously made inaccessible due to strikes at the entrances. These are now assessed to be “partially or fully operational,” &nbsp;Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that infrastructure workarounds have pushed active supplies to 120 per cent.&nbsp;Trump's meltdown comes as he just kicked off his &nbsp;3-day state visit to China. Just before his trip, he claimed that he does not need China's assistance to resolve the conflict in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz. &nbsp;

US President Donald Trump lashed out at media outlets over a report claiming Iran restored access to key missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz just before his China visit.

US President Donald Trump had a meltdown on the Truth Social platform just before he kicked off his tour to China. Trump lashed out in an aggressive social media post attack on domestic media outlets, accusing them of “aiding and abetting the enemy”. This reaction was triggered by a New York Times report which claimed that despite the victory laps from Trump and Hegseth, Iran has access to most of its missile sites, launchers and underground facilities. The report flags the most alarming statistics, claiming that Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites it maintains along the Strait of Hormuz, which could threaten US access and threaten its naval blockade. “When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement,” wrote Trump in a social media post. ' “When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement,” said Trump. He called them “losers, ingrates and fools” and accused them of rooting against their own country. “Iran had 159 ships in their Navy — Every single ship is now resting at the bottom of the sea,” he continued. “They have no Navy, their Air Force is gone, all Technology is gone, their ‘leaders’ are no longer with us, and the Country is an Economic Disaster.” Also Read: What is the Sarmat ICBM 'world’s most powerful nuclear missile'? Russia claims new missile can bypass all defence systems The report claimed that Iran has maintained control of 70-75 per cent of it pre-war missile launchers and 70 per cent of its missile stockpile. Iran has regained access to roughly 90 per cent of its underground missile storage and launch facilities nationwide, which were previously made inaccessible due to strikes at the entrances. These are now assessed to be “partially or fully operational,” Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that infrastructure workarounds have pushed active supplies to 120 per cent. Trump's meltdown comes as he just kicked off his 3-day state visit to China. Just before his trip, he claimed that he does not need China's assistance to resolve the conflict in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump lashed out at media outlets over a report claiming Iran restored access to key missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz just before his China visit.

Trump melts down after US media shows Iran retains missile capabilities

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