Beijing, China - May 16, 2026 – A recent viral video, circulating widely online and sparking intense speculation, falsely claims that former US President Donald Trump was observed secretly examining Chinese President Xi Jinping's private notebook during a state visit to Beijing. Investigations and fact-checking efforts by multiple news outlets have confirmed that the object Trump handled was, in fact, his own folder.
The folder Trump is seen interacting with at a table, shortly before taking the stage for a formal toast, has been identified as belonging to Trump himself. Multiple sources, including footage and analyses of the event, corroborate this finding. The claim that Trump was attempting to read private notes belonging to Xi Jinping has been widely debunked as misleading and baseless.
The viral clip, which has garnered millions of views across various social media platforms, shows Trump reaching for and briefly looking at a black folder or notebook on a table. This moment occurred during a state banquet held as part of Trump's two-day visit to China, which concluded on May 15, 2026. Social media users, fueled by the visual ambiguity of the short clip, quickly interpreted the action as Trump snooping through Xi's personal documents.
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Despite the widespread dissemination of the false claim, no official source or credible reporting has supported the interpretation that Trump accessed or viewed any private documents belonging to Xi Jinping. The interactions between the two leaders, particularly during high-profile events like state visits, continue to draw significant global attention and scrutiny, making such incidents fertile ground for online speculation. The spread of this misinformation highlights the ongoing challenge of verifying content in the rapid-fire environment of social media.
Background
The purported incident occurred during a state visit by Donald Trump to Beijing. The visit aimed to address ongoing relations and economic ties between the United States and China. While both leaders reportedly praised the summit for its potential to improve bilateral relations, no significant breakthroughs were publicly announced. The interactions between Trump and Xi Jinping during such visits are often closely observed for subtle cues about diplomatic relations.
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