President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy, this time with a pointed remark about his predecessor, Joe Biden, following Trump's own meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump claimed, 'Joe Biden wouldn't even get a meeting with Xi [Jinping].' The statement, made during a discussion about his visit to China, has drawn significant backlash as it contradicts documented history of multiple interactions between Biden and Xi.

Trump's comments came after a lengthy meeting with Xi in Beijing, where the two leaders discussed trade, technology, and regional security. Trump appeared buoyant about the encounter, praising the Chinese president's hospitality and the substance of their talks. Yet, he could not resist taking aim at the 46th president, asserting that under Biden's leadership, America's standing with China had deteriorated to the point where Xi would refuse to engage.

'Our country, two years ago – if Biden came here, I don't even think he would get a meeting with President Xi. I don't think they'd even meet with them,' Trump said. Hannity interjected, 'I don't know if he'd be able to focus long enough.' Trump then elaborated, saying, 'He wouldn't come here. But assuming he came, I don't think he'd even have a meeting. It's amazing actually, a lot of people... I noticed even with the business leaders. They're the biggest businessmen in the world. And women... A couple of women... And most of them, almost all of them, but most of them never met President Xi.'

The former president's remarks ignore the fact that Biden and Xi have held several high-level meetings. Their last official meeting took place in Lima, Peru, on November 16, 2024, a 'farewell' meeting aimed at stabilizing bilateral relations ahead of the U.S. presidential transition. Before that, in November 2023, Xi made a rare visit to the United States to meet with Biden at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, California, on the sidelines of the APEC summit. That meeting was seen as a critical effort to reduce tensions between the world's two largest economies.

Additionally, Biden and Xi had numerous virtual meetings during Biden's first years in office, including a summit in November 2021 and a video call in March 2022. Their relationship, though often strained over issues like Taiwan, trade, and human rights, has been marked by regular communication. Trump's claim that Xi would refuse to meet Biden is thus demonstrably false.

Social Media Reactions and Fact-Checking

As soon as Trump's comments aired, social media platforms lit up with rebuttals. One user on X posted a photo of Xi Jinping's November 2023 visit to California, writing, 'Xi came to see Biden, not the other way around. Donald Trump is an idiot.' Another user said, 'I love reading these posts from the people Trump has completely broken.' A third user noted, 'Xi never visited Biden at the WH. They did meet on the sidelines of APEC Summit. 2017: President Xi met with President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Xi has been invited to the WH Sept 2026.'

Indeed, Xi has been invited to the White House in September 2026, a sign that diplomatic engagement continues under Trump's second term. Meanwhile, some supporters of Trump defended his remarks. One wrote, 'Biden doesn't even know where he is, who he is and Under Biden, Russia invaded Ukraine, Hamas invaded Israel and Iran created thousands of drones and missiles. Biden is literally the worst president ever after Carter.' Another added, 'PESKY FACT: Joe Biden was not invited to China during his presidency.'

This latter point – that Xi never visited the White House during Biden's term – is accurate. The two never held a state visit in Washington, though they met on neutral ground or in Xi's home territory. Trump himself hosted Xi at Mar-a-Lago in 2017, and Xi has since been invited to Washington in 2026, indicating a shift in diplomatic protocol under Trump. However, the claim that Biden would not 'get a meeting' overlooks the fact that Xi did meet Biden, just not on U.S. soil for a formal bilateral visit.

Historical Context of U.S.-China Presidential Meetings

To understand the controversy, it is useful to review the history of U.S.-China summitry. Since Richard Nixon's historic visit in 1972, every U.S. president has engaged with Chinese leaders in some form. Barack Obama met Xi multiple times, including in 2013 at Sunnylands, California, and in 2014 at the APEC summit in Beijing. Trump himself had an extensive relationship with Xi, beginning with the Mar-a-Lago summit in 2017, followed by visits to Beijing and Buenos Aires during the G20. Trump often boasted of his 'great relationship' with Xi, even as trade wars escalated.

Biden's approach was more cautious. He emphasized competition and cooperation, leading to both friction and dialogue. The two leaders' meeting in Lima was described as productive, focusing on managing differences over the South China Sea, technology restrictions, and climate change. Biden also engaged Xi on human rights and Taiwan, issues where their views diverge sharply.

Trump's dig may also reflect a broader narrative he has pushed: that Biden was weak on the world stage and that Trump alone can secure favorable outcomes from adversaries. During the interview, Trump contrasted his own ability to secure a meeting with Xi against what he portrayed as Biden's incapacity. Yet the facts show that Biden not only met Xi but did so in a critical period of transition.

Political Implications

Trump's comments come at a time when U.S.-China relations are under intense scrutiny. His visit to Beijing in May 2026 was seen as an attempt to reset ties after years of tension. The meeting covered tariffs, semiconductor restrictions, and cooperation on climate and health issues. Trump has signaled a desire to strike a deal that benefits American businesses, while Xi seeks to stabilize China's economy and reduce external pressures.

By attacking Biden, Trump is also appealing to his base, which remains skeptical of the former president's foreign policy record. The narrative of Biden as a failed leader who could not command respect from Xi resonates with Trump supporters. However, independent analysts point out that diplomatic meetings are not a measure of strength alone; substance matters more than optics. Biden's meetings with Xi, while not as showy as Trump's, addressed substantive issues and maintained open channels.

Additionally, Xi's upcoming visit to Washington in September 2026, if it materializes, would be a major diplomatic event. It would mark the first time a Chinese president visits the White House since 2017, when Trump hosted Xi. That visit would be a testament to Trump's ability to secure high-level engagement, but it also undermines his claim that Biden could not get a meeting – since Xi is now coming to meet Trump, not Biden.

In conclusion, while Trump's boast about his own meeting is understandable, the claim that Biden would be snubbed by Xi is contradicted by evidence. The exchange highlights the polarized nature of U.S. politics, where even diplomatic facts are contested. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, such comments are likely to fuel further debate over America's role in the world and the competence of its leaders.

The original article from Morning Honey captured the immediate online reactions, but the broader context of U.S.-China relations under both administrations reveals a more complex picture. Trump's meeting with Xi may indeed be historic, but it does not erase the fact that Biden and Xi did meet, and their interactions helped manage what is perhaps the most consequential bilateral relationship of the 21st century.

As the world watches the evolving dynamics between Washington and Beijing, the ability of leaders to sit down together – whether at a grand estate, a summit venue, or a capital city – remains a critical tool of statecraft. Trump's attempt to use that tool to score political points may resonate with his supporters, but it risks oversimplifying the delicate art of diplomacy.

Source: AOL.com News