Photographers Clash at White House During Trump-Xi Arrival
On September 24, 2026, a confrontation unfolded between photographers from the U.S. and China outside the White House while they awaited President Trump’s greeting for President Xi. Videos shared on X captured the tension, with Chinese photographers raising their voices in an attempt to secure better vantage points. One member of the Chinese delegation expressed frustration over the location, while his photographer disregarded requests to relocate. Nearby, Alex Brandon, the Chief White House Photographer for the Associated Press, knelt as U.S. staff urged the Chinese photographer to step aside, obstructing an official photographer. U.S. officials warned they would expel the Chinese photographers, asserting, "You cannot block her." Security later jostled another Chinese photographer. The incident concluded with footage of Trump and First Lady welcoming Xi and Madame Peng.
Key facts
- On September 24, 2026, Chinese and American photographers clashed outside the White House while waiting for President Trump to welcome President Xi.
- Chinese photographers sought better spots for Xi's arrival, leading to raised voices and arguments with U.S. officials.
- Alex Brandon, Chief White House Photographer for the Associated Press, was seen kneeling next to the fracas.
- U.S. staff tried to get a Chinese photographer to move because he was blocking the view of an official White House photographer.
- An official said, "There is no world where we block the POTUS's photographer."
- U.S. officials threatened to kick the Chinese photographers out entirely, with one woman saying, "You cannot block her."
- A Chinese photographer was repeatedly told by security that he couldn't stand in a certain spot, with staff saying, "The answer is no."
- An American photographer told a Chinese photographer, "I will help you today, but you have to help me, okay? But no fighting; we've got to make this work."
Entities
Artists
- Alex Brandon
- Danny Kemp
- Christian Datoc
Institutions
- White House
- Associated Press
- X
- RSBN
Locations
- White House
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- China