Trump Xi Spouses
First lady of China Peng Liyuan, left, and first lady Melania Trump react as children perform during a visit to the Smithsonian's National Museum Of Asian Art, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington.
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President Donald Trump hailed the “truly great friendship” he’s forged with Xi Jinping as the Chinese leader began his highly anticipated state visit. While Trump has many thorny issues to discuss with the president of America’s biggest economic rival, he focused Thursday on his long relationship with Xi as the two gathered with aides for opening remarks before formal talks. Also, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s ban of three news outlets from the White House, and hours after the judge's order early Thursday, CNN, MS NOW and Politico had their access restored. Reporters from all three outlets, however, said they remained blocked a few hours after the ruling.