Donald Trump Posts AI-Altered Photo of Meeting With Xi Jinping

President Donald Trump shared a digitally altered photograph on Truth Social on September 24 depicting his greeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews. The image, which captured Xi's arrival in Washington on September 23, differs significantly from official records provided by Getty Images, Reuters, and the Associated Press.

Digital forensics experts from BBC Verify, Drexel University, the University of Notre Dame, and Peryton Intelligence concluded the image was manipulated using generative AI. While authentic footage shows Trump grimacing during a military jet flyover and wearing a striped tie and two gloves, the posted version depicts him saluting stoically with a plain blue tie and only one glove. The altered photo also removes First Ladies Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan and replaces Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley with personal aide Natalie Harp.

The controversy follows a state visit where Xi Jinping urged the two nations to coexist in peace and keep competition within bounds. Trump praised Xi as a truly great friend during the visit. Neither the White House nor Trump has commented on the discrepancies in the photograph.