US president says White House seats about 125 guests, while Chinese executives facing scrutiny in the US are considered for Xi’s delegation
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenTeresa Elena Frontadoin WashingtonPublished: 6:05am, 19 Sep 2026US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had turned away friends hoping to attend next week’s state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, as reports emerged that executives from some of China’s biggest companies could join the visit.“This is a very tough ticket for me,” Trump told reporters. “I’ve told a lot of very good friends of mine, you just can’t come.”
The president said the White House had room for “about 125 or so people”, although thousands would like to attend. He lamented that its planned ballroom was not yet open, saying it could have accommodated 2,000 guests.
