Overview
- Before leaving Beijing, officials and reporters were told to drop China-issued badges, pins and temporary phones at the aircraft stairs, according to a White House pool report.
- Pool reporter Emily Goodin wrote that "Nothing from China allowed on the plane" as staff placed the items in a collection bin.
- Separate tabloid-origin reports said the delegation relied on burner phones during the visit and were told to destroy them after returning to the United States.
- A fact-check outlet said there is no verified evidence of a coordinated tarmac spectacle or an official account detailing every item discarded.
- Such precautions are common on high-risk trips, and the Trump–Xi talks covered Taiwan, Iran, trade, artificial intelligence and fentanyl.