Photos of Trump with Xi and Putin seen lining White House Palm Room doorway
A journalist's post on 1 October showed framed photos of Donald Trump with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin beside the White House Palm Room doors. Critics online condemned the display, while the SCMP noted the collection predates Xi's recent state visit.
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The story, neutrally told
On 1 October 2026, journalist Jacqueline Alemany posted an image on social media showing the White House Palm Room doors lined with photographs of President Donald Trump standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. South China Morning PostN “Journalist Jacqueline Alemany shared an image of the Palm Room display on social media, noting that photographs of Trump with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin lined the doorway area.” Read at South China Morning Post ↗ Raw StoryL “Jacqueline Alemany, a Washington correspondent for MS NOW, posted images showing the Palm Room doors lined with photographs” Read at Raw Story ↗ The South China Morning Post described the Xi photograph as sitting in an ornate gold frame beside an arched doorway, showing the two presidents side by side with Chinese and American flags behind them; Raw Story described one image of Trump smiling and shaking hands with Xi. South China Morning PostN “The Xi photograph sits in an ornate gold frame against a white lattice-patterned wall, beside an arched doorway and beneath a crystal chandelier.” Read at South China Morning Post ↗ Raw StoryL “another showing Trump smiling and shaking hands with Xi” Read at Raw Story ↗ The SCMP reported that the Palm Room's photographic collection predates Xi's 23-25 September state visit: CNN Newsource reported in January that the renovated room featured gold-framed images of Trump with Xi, Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. South China Morning PostN “The Palm Room’s photographic collection predates last week’s summit.”“Xi’s September 23-25 state visit included an airport welcome from Trump, talks at the White House and a state dinner.” Read at South China Morning Post ↗
It is unclear whether the Trump–Xi image now beside the doorway is the one reported in January or has been moved; the SCMP said it asked the White House when it was installed, which meeting it depicts and who chose the photographs. South China Morning PostN “It remains unclear whether the Trump–Xi image currently beside the doorway is the same one reported in January, or whether it has been moved.” Read at South China Morning Post ↗ The SCMP also noted a separate handshake photograph of the two leaders that Trump showed Xi during the visit, when he asked, "Who is that? I don't recognise him." South China Morning PostN “Pointing to it during Xi’s visit, Trump asked: “Who is that? I don’t recognise him.”” Read at South China Morning Post ↗ Raw Story reported a wave of online criticism, including from Brittany Martinez of Principles First, a Republican strategist, who said no US president should display framed photos of dictators in the White House. Raw StoryL ““Republican or Democrat, no U.S. president should display framed photos of dictators in the White House,” Martinez wrote on X.” Read at Raw Story ↗
Other critics quoted by Raw Story included journalist Jay Bookman, HuffPost's S.V. Date, and Yvanna D. Cancela, chief of staff to Rep. Steven Horsford and a former Biden White House adviser, who called it "pretty insane". Raw StoryL ““These are his colleagues, his counterparts, his fellow Big Men in History,” Georgia Journalist Jay Bookman wrote on social media.”““This is pretty insane.”” Read at Raw Story ↗ The SCMP added that the two presidents' meetings also featured at the Chinese embassy's National Day reception on Wednesday evening, with photo panels from Beijing in May and Washington in September. South China Morning PostN “Large photographic panels on easels highlighted their meetings in Beijing in May and Washington in September.” Read at South China Morning Post ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Presents the photos as a controversial new display and gathers online condemnation, including from a Republican strategist.
- Emphasis
- Critical reactions from commentators and officials' staff on social media.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention that the photo collection was reported in January or any White House response.
- Charged language
- “appalling”“dictators”“Big Men in History”“Pretty insane”
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Light diplomatic-observer piece on Xi's photographs remaining at the White House after his state visit, with context on provenance.
- Emphasis
- Details of the photos, the January report, the Xi visit and Chinese embassy reception displays.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report the online criticism of the display.
- For example
-
“The visit is over. The photographs remain.” — South China Morning Post
“The Palm Room’s photographic collection predates last week’s summit.” — South China Morning Post
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Alemany posted images of photos of Trump with Putin and Xi at the Palm Room doorway on 1 October 2026.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether the display is new
- Left
- Raw Story calls it Trump's 'latest White House decor' and a 'new display'.
- Centre
- The SCMP says the Palm Room's photo collection predates Xi's visit, citing a January report, though it is unclear if this photo was moved.
Donald Trump person
No statement from Trump is reported on the display; the SCMP notes his remark to Xi about a handshake photo during the visit.
“Pointing to it during Xi’s visit, Trump asked: “Who is that? I don’t recognise him.”” — South China Morning Post
White House organisation
No White House response is reported; the SCMP says it has asked when the photos were installed and who chose them.
“The SCMP has asked the White House when it was installed, which meeting it depicts and who selected the photographs.” — South China Morning Post
Xi Jinping person
Xi is depicted in the photos; during his visit he laughed briefly when Trump pointed to a handshake photo.
“Xi turned towards members of his delegation and appeared to give a brief laugh.” — South China Morning Post
East and Southeast Asia1 outlet
SCMP treats it as a diplomatic curiosity tied to Xi's visit and Chinese embassy displays.
“Xi leaves Washington, but keeps at least two places on the White House walls” — South China Morning Post
South China Morning Post
North America1 outlet
Raw Story frames it as a domestic political controversy over displaying 'dictators'.
“The display quickly set off a wave of criticism online.” — Raw Story
Raw Story
Left1 article
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Disbelief as Trump White House unveils ‘appalling’ new display: ‘Pretty insane'
Critical Reports backlash to the display through a string of critical social media reactions.
Centre1 article
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Xi leaves Washington, but keeps at least two places on the White House walls
Neutral Wry, factual account of Xi's photos remaining on White House walls, with provenance context.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 1 Oct 20:10 First South China Morning PostN Xi leaves Washington, but keeps at least two places on the White House walls
- 1 Oct 20:19 +10m Raw StoryL Disbelief as Trump White House unveils ‘appalling’ new display: ‘Pretty insane'
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.