Xi Jinping’s ‘unusual’ demands of Trump during his US visit are revealed including ‘secret’ West Wing room for him and his wife… as telling concerns from aides offer rare glimpse of Chinese leader’s problems

DAILYMAIL • 2h ago

By STEPHEN M. LEPORE, US SENIOR REPORTER 06:42 03 Oct 2026, updated 08:26 03 Oct 2026

Donald Trump went to great lengths to accommodate Chinese leader Xi Jinping due to alleged physical troubles and lack of stamina during his visit to Washington, according to a new report.

The President appeared to get along famously with the Communist Chinese leader during his time in DC, which included a glamorous State Dinner for the leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan.

But it has now emerged that behind the scenes a string of unusual requests by President Xi, 73, drained valuable time from the summit, Wall Street Journal reported.

The accommodations reportedly centered around the premier’s need for rest and his physical problems amid rampant speculation about his health.

Those familiar with the planning of the summit said his aides largely built the schedule around how much Xi could physically stand and walk and when he would need breaks.

Chinese officials also reportedly asked for Xi to be given a private ‘hold room’ in the West Wing for him to take rest breaks between events where only his wife was allowed to stay with him.

The room request was described by former senior China director at the National Security Council Dennis Wilder as ‘unusual’ and completely unprecedented.

Xi’s need for rest forced the cancelation of a working lunch with Trump on September 24 that left them with a five-hour void in his two-day visit.

Trump and Xi previously held a similar meeting when the President visited Beijing this past May.

Xi also did nothing outside the working summit on the evening he arrived and zoomed through a trip to the National Archives in ten minutes, despite US officials preparing for a longer stay.

Eagle-eyed viewers watching his descent from his plane on arrival in DC were quick to point out that he appeared to tightly clutch his wife’s hand, as if needing extra support on the stairs.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House and a spokesperson for President Xi for comment.

It is not the first time the Chinese leader has been dogged by rumors about his health, with many speculating over the years that he has suffered a heart attack, been diagnosed with cancer and survived a stroke.

Last month during the BRICS summit, conspiracy theories spread after a video appeared to show Indian PM Narendra Modi pause a speech to check on the wellbeing of his Chinese counterpart.

The footage shows Modi stopping his opening speech at the BRICS summit and turning towards President Xi after a commotion appeared to catch his attention.

‘Is it okay?’ Modi repeatedly asks the translator accompanying the Chinese leader, as several people appearing to be aides or members of staff are seen rushing towards him.

Later in the day, President Xi skipped the gala dinner hosted by Modi for leaders of the BRICS nations – where ally Vladimir Putin was also in attendance – spurring commentary about his ill health.

It later emerged that the exchange at the summit was because Xi’s translator earpiece had broken.

However, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal, he skipped the gala because he was unwell, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi attending in his place.

Theories previously reached a peak in 2012, after President Xi mysteriously disappeared for two weeks when he was still the country’s vice-president – fueling rumors he had potentially been the subject of an attempted assassination.

In July 2024, a photo of the Chinese leader supposedly wincing in pain went viral on social media, with people claiming that he had suffered a stroke.

It turned out the image was taken from four months before, and the Chinese president was merely reacting to something he had drunk while at the National People’s Congress.

In September 2025, a hot mic caught Putin discussing immortality during a summit with President Xi and Kim Jong Un in Beijing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The pair were heard chatting about the possibility of achieving immortality with organ transplants and advanced medical procedures.

Even before Xi became president, his health was a popular topic of speculation in the country, particularly among critics of the communist regime.

This is despite the fact that the high level of internet censorship in China means that anything deemed a criticism of President Xi or the Chinese Communist Party is blocked or immediately removed.

Leaders’ health is typically considered a state secret in China.

Trump pulled out all the stops for his visit with Xi as the two spent much of his time discussing the toughest issues facing their nations.

The dramatic spectacle began the moment the Chinese president and his wife touched down at Joint Base Andrews.

As the leaders stood on the tarmac alongside rows of soldiers positioned in front of F-35 fighter jets and Air Force One, a screaming flyover shattered the air overhead.

The deafening roar caught Trump off guard, causing him to visibly wince while a stoic, stone-faced Xi didn’t even flinch.

Breaking more than a decade of presidential protocol, the Trumps personally greeted the Chinese delegation on the tarmac – marking the first time a sitting US president has met a foreign leader at an airport in over 11 years.

A grinning Trump also celebrated an immediate PR win when Xi announced Beijing is sending two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, to Zoo Atlanta within days, continuing the famous ‘panda diplomacy’ tradition sparked by Richard Nixon’s 1972 trip.

That was followed by the State Dinner, a lavish black-tie affair in the historic East Room that stands as one of the most star-studded evenings of the administration, offering a glitzy opportunity to smooth over notoriously fierce geopolitical friction with the superpower.

Trump heaped praise on Xi, with whom he says he has developed a ‘truly great friendship’ over his decade in politics.

However, the two nations remain divided on the war in Iran and are still grappling to find common ground on trade and how to best navigate the jarring advances of artificial intelligence.

Trump had made clear he wanted to impress Xi with the visit.

The Republican President made sure construction of a new helicopter landing pad on the White House’s South Lawn was completed before the visit and he met Xi and his wife on Wednesday evening when they flew into Joint Base Andrews outside Washington.

The Daily Mail contacted Xi’s office for comment.

Police chase down prolific M&S shoplifter who fled in an Audi and arrest her at her very ordinary…

Why will Prince Harry be ‘quaking in his boots’ over news of a film following life of one of the…

Rioter blasts woman in the face with a flamethrower and off-duty cop is kicked unconscious as French…

Elon Musk’s heartbroken baby mama Shivon Zilis reveals billionaire has ended their relationship with…

Has a gift from Meghan to Eugenie ended up on eBay? Mystery as ‘deeply personal’ copy of duchess’s…

RICHARD KAY: After hate-filled violent protests across France, why children as young as 14 are…

Wealthy HSBC banker is banned from the City for dodging £5,900 in train fares after using…

Electrician turned anti-Ulez activist is jailed for 15 years for blowing up roadside camera with…

Ann Widdecombe murder suspect, 28, charged with planning acts of terrorism against Nigel Farage

Moment black member of Question Time audience tells Suella Braverman she is ‘being racist against…

Zack Polanski insists he WON’T have to quit as Green leader if he fails to win Holborn by-election -…

Mother accused of murdering her newborn baby ‘who was stabbed 15 times and dumped on washing…

The population changes in your area: Interactive tool reveals births, deaths and immigration levels…

‘I couldn’t let everyone else die’: Hero Flydubai pilot reveals battle to open cockpit door while…

Putin ‘orders his military leaders to abandon the rules of war’ as Ukraine sees increase in attacks…

Duchess of diamonds! Meghan shows off three new jewellery pieces – including $61,250 gold tennis…

Xi Jinping’s ‘unusual’ demands of Trump during his US visit revealedComments are subject to our House rules and TermsNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}

No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first.

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{#replies.comments}}{{^isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{#isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{/replies.comments}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{^replies.totalCount}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{/isComment}}The opinions and views expressed in the comments section are solely those of the individual users and do not represent or reflect the opinions, views, or positions of MailOnline. MailOnline does not endorse, support, or verify the accuracy of any user-generated content.Terms|Privacy|FeedbackOldest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}