Trump's state dinner for Xi features sea bass and a long list of tech titans

President Donald Trump shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping in the East Room of the White House during a State Dinner, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP WASHINGTON — A tech-heavy guest list, the fashion choices of those on it, who sat where and what was on the menu marked the softer — often and glitzier — details of diplomacy as Donald Trump threw a Thursday night state dinner honoring China's leader Xi Jinping. The event featured a cavalcade of billionaires, Washington powerbrokers, business leaders and the type of festivities that most excite Trump, who has a reputation for reveling in hosting parties. "President Xi and I both understand we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure, and we've never gotten along better," Trump said during his toast, adding that "together, we can continue to build a relationship that promotes prosperity and security for future generations." Trump has done his best to impress Xi during China's leader's during Xi's three-day visit to Washington, and praised their close personal relationship — even as he has decried top Democratic candidates as "comm...