Donald Trump held a state dinner at the White House on Thursday night to honour Chinese President Xi Jinping, leaning into the event’s more glittering elements with a guest list packed with technology chief executives and a menu built around sea bass.
The dinner in the East Room was accompanied by detailed attention to appearance and presentation, from tuxedos and gowns to red-and-gold place settings and low lighting. The evening also followed a day of high-profile White House activities for Xi, before attention shifted to the ceremony around the meal.
Tech-Heavy Guest List and Clothing Choices
Among those attending were OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, who signed autographs after arriving, and Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang, who wore a tuxedo rather than the black jacket he is known for. Bernard Arnault, the head of French luxury group LVMH, also attended, entering the event through security fencing.
The guest list included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Tesla and SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk, and Google and Alphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai. It also featured OpenAI president and co-founder Greg Brockman, and Dell Technologies chairman and chief executive Michael Dell.
Trump wore a tuxedo. First lady Melania Trump wore a tuxedo-style outfit described by her office as a white Saint Laurent cotton poplin blouse with a black silk cummerbund and black brocade trousers, both from Dolce & Gabbana and featuring a peony motif. Xi wore a black suit, while Peng Liyuan wore a red gown.
Toasts, Taiwan Tensions, and a Construction Pitch
Trump used his remarks during the dinner to emphasise the relationship between the two leaders and their countries, saying both sides recognise different systems while stressing that ties between their people endure. The president also said he wanted to invite guests to look at a “beautiful curtain” behind them that, he said, would lead to the construction area for a ballroom on the South Lawn.
He told the audience the project was about a year from completion and said attendees would have a chance to view the work after entertainment, adding that guests could become “the first people” to step onto the site. Trump has previously described the planned ballroom as the “Great Hall of the United States” and suggested it could rival the “Great Hall of the People”, where he dined with Xi during a state visit to Beijing in May.
Xi, in his own toast, said Trump has pledged to make America “great again” and that China is committed to achieving national rejuvenation, adding that the two goals could reinforce each other.
Earlier in the visit, Xi and Trump held discussions during business hours that covered issues including Taiwan, trade and artificial intelligence. The White House visit also continued amid an ongoing dispute about First Amendment access for press organisations.
Trump had previously sought to impress Xi during the three-day trip, including meeting the Chinese leader and his wife personally as they arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, rather than waiting until the White House reception. On Thursday afternoon, Trump also gave Xi updates on White House projects, including a tour of Marine One and a new helipad.
Squash, Sea Bass and Dessert on Reagan-Era China
The first lady helped craft the menu, served on red china associated with former President Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Guests began with yellow squash velouté with wild mushrooms, fresh herbs, crispy pancetta and scallion oil.
The main course was sesame-crusted sea bass, accompanied by braised baby bok choy, roasted garden eggplant and sauce verte.
Dessert consisted of vanilla crémeux with sour cherry confit and walnut frangipane, along with ice cream made with honey from the White House.
Trump presented Xi with an eagle statue that he said was designed in personal collaboration with Melania Trump and himself. Xi did not present a public gift to Trump during the dinner.
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25 September 2026
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