Video of Donald Trump opening a folder at a China banquet sparks speculation he peeked at Xi Jinping’s notes, but further footage suggests the folder was Trump’s own.
A brief moment from US President Donald Trump’s recent visit to China has triggered a wave of speculation online, after social media users claimed he was seen looking through Chinese President Xi Jinping’s folder during a state banquet.
The clip, taken from footage of a banquet hosted by Xi following bilateral talks with Trump, shows the Chinese leader getting up from his seat. Seconds later, Trump appears to lean forward and open a folder placed on the table, prompting some viewers to suggest he was examining Xi’s notes.
The video quickly spread on social media, with users debating Trump’s actions and questioning whether the folder belonged to Xi Jinping. Some criticised the move as disrespectful, while others joked about whether Trump could read Mandarin.
However, several users later pointed out that the folder appeared to carry a United States seal and may have belonged to Trump himself. Additional footage reportedly showed Trump taking the same folder with him while leaving the table, suggesting it was his own document rather than Xi’s.
Despite the clarification, the clip continued to fuel debate online, with some social media users remaining sceptical.