Trump’s China visit branded a ‘s—show’ as US aide trampled | US | News
It was revealed that Chinese journalists trampled a White House aide on the opening day of President Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A Secret Service agent was reportedly prevented from attending official events, while American journalists were reportedly barred from joining the presidential motorcade. The chaos was filmed by a director working with filmmaker Brett Ratner, who was in China shooting “Rush Hour 4.”
The events caused tension within the US delegation, with one member heard describing the situation as a “s-show”.
US reporters were allegedly given limited access to bathrooms and had their water bottles confiscated as Chinese officials attempted to control a global news event, according to the New York Post.
Despite the sweltering conditions, the American press was not provided with any alternative hydration, the publication reported.
The White House aide was knocked down and trampled by what the outlet described as an aggressive Chinese press group that descended on Trump’s morning bilateral meeting with Xi, leaving the aide bruised and distressed.
At the Temple of Heaven that afternoon, Chinese authorities refused to allow a Secret Service agent accompanying the presidential press pool to enter because he was carrying a firearm, the Post reported.
While the American delegation and press group refused to proceed without the agent, Beijing officials insisted that the agent surrender the pistol.
After a 30-minute pause and lengthy negotiations, a second Secret Service agent was given permission to escort the journalists to the venue while the first agent remained outside.
The two leaders were behind schedule for the temple visit after their bilateral talks ended.
Trump and Xi posed for photos, and as their tour continued, American press were allegedly herded into a waiting room and barred from rejoining the presidential motorcade upon Trump’s departure.
As the American press repeatedly insisted “we have to go,” a White House official warned Chinese staff that the Trump administration would never give the same treatment to visiting Chinese media, The Post reported.
As the president sat in the motorcade waiting for the press corps, a White House aide reportedly said, “We’re leaving,” as American staffers and journalists rushed past officials and toward the motorcade.
