--- title: "Trump winces during bomber flyover at Xi Jinping welcome" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-winces-during-bomber-flyover-at-xi-jinping-welcome" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-winces-during-bomber-flyover-at-xi-jinping-welcome" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-winces-during-bomber-flyover-at-xi-jinping-welcome.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-winces-during-bomber-flyover-at-xi-jinping-welcome" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-24T04:45:54.664Z" source_reported: "2026-09-24T03:57:10.000Z" updated: "2026-09-24T04:45:54.664Z" trust_score: 68 critic_score: 85 hype_score: 28 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-24T04:30:18.301854+00:00" --- # Trump winces during bomber flyover at Xi Jinping welcome *Two B-1 bombers flew over Joint Base Andrews as President Trump greeted China's leader.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Trust boosted by named commentator Nick Sortor, several independent outlets, and specific Joint Base Andrews timing. - Craft 85 of 100, higher is better. Explains significance of flyover, provides specific details, and separates facts from opinion. - Hype 28 of 100, lower is better. Headline is mildly sensational but body remains factual. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Two B-1 bombers flew over Joint Base Andrews during a welcome ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping. - President Trump appeared to wince as the bombers passed, while Xi Jinping was described as unfazed. - The flyover was part of a three-day state visit that began on September 23. - Reports varied on the reactions of both leaders to the aircraft's noise. Two B-1 bombers flew over Joint Base Andrews on September 23, 2026, during a welcome ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping. The flight was part of a three-day state visit. President Trump appeared to wince as the aircraft passed overhead. Xi Jinping was described in reports as unfazed by the flyover. ## Differing accounts of leaders' reactions Reports offered conflicting descriptions of how President Trump and Xi Jinping reacted to the B-1 bombers. Hindustan Times reported that Trump appeared to wince and bare his teeth, while Xi stood unperturbed. Times of India and India Today stated Trump visibly winced, with Xi remaining unfazed. Raw Story reported Trump made an odd facial expression and seemed to wince in pain. In contrast, Unknown (Source 6) reported that Xi Jinping was momentarily startled by the noise and turned to look at the planes, while President Trump was seen smiling. Another Unknown report (Source 9) stated Xi Jinping looked stunned as the bombers roared overhead. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the specific date of the state visit, September 23, 2026, which was included in the centre and left-rated reports. The right-rated digests also do not mention the context of the visit being Xi Jinping's first in over a decade, as noted by the centre-rated report. ## Who covered it Shares of the 7 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 14% (1) - Centre: 15% (1) - Right: 71% (5) 2 of 9 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-24T04:30:18.301854+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-24T05:00:20.067Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated report led with an alarm over President Trump appearing to 'wince in pain' during the military flyover, calling it a 'global embarrassment'. It noted Trump met Xi at Joint Base Andrews and that the ceremony included two B-1 bombers flying overhead. The report mentioned the White House had announced pageantry would accompany Xi's visit. ### Centre - The centre-rated report focused on President Trump being 'slammed' for appearing to wince during a flypast organised as part of Xi Jinping's state visit. It stated the video of Trump's reaction went viral on social media, with many criticising his response. The report noted Xi Jinping appeared unperturbed. It also mentioned that Trump had previously organised flybys, including one when greeting Vladimir Putin in 2025. ### Right - The right-rated reports highlighted the presence of two B-1 bombers flying over Joint Base Andrews during President Trump's welcome for Xi Jinping. One report stated the ceremony offered an image of cordiality between Washington and Beijing, occurring after an agreement to extend a trade truce. Another report mentioned the bombers thundered overhead as Trump winced, while Xi remained unfazed. A further report noted the B-1B Lancer bombers flew over the base as Trump welcomed the Chinese president for a state visit. One report described Xi Jinping as looking stunned by the bombers, while Trump smiled. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 5 - high: 1 - unknown: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/xi-jinping-2677927546) — Alarm as Trump 'winces in pain' during military flyover: 'Global embarrassment' - [voz.us](https://voz.us/es/mundo/260924/39358/alfombra-roja-base-conjunta-andrews-bombarderos-b-1-tregua-fecha-vencimiento-trump-despliega-xi-washington.html) — Red Carpet at Andrews Joint Base, B-1 Bombers and a Expiration Date Truce: Trump Deploys Power to Xi in Washington - [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/president-donald-trump-slammed-for-wincing-during-flypast-video-with-china-xi-jinping-embarrassment-on-world-stage-watch-101790217696992.html) — Trump slammed for ‘wincing’ during flypast video with China's Xi: ‘Embarrassment on world stage’ - [Share News Japan](https://sn-jp.com/archives/291528) — When Chinese President Xi Jinping Arrived in the United States, the US Had Two B-1 Strategic Bombers Fly over His head... (※Video) - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/short-videos/trump-winces-as-b1-lancer-bomber-jet-thunders-overhead-xi-remains-unfazed/videoshow/134450444.cms) — Trump winces as B1 Lancer bomber jet thunders overhead, Xi remains unfazed - [Unknown](https://aajtak.in/defence-news/story/xi-jinping-america-visit-meets-donald-trump-b1-bombers-trump-reaction-ntc-mnrd-smsr-2651530-2026-09-24) — Like Putin, Xi Jinping Was Also Startled by the Roar of the Warships, and Trump Started Smiling. - [100% FED UP!](https://100percentfedup.com/watch-b-1-bombers-roar-president-trump-xi) — B-1 Bombers Roar Over President Trump And Xi At Andrews Welcome Ceremony – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Jack - [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/donald-trump-winces-b-1-bombers-roar-over-xi-jinping-chinese-president-us-welcome-maryland-3001645-2026-09-24) — Trump winces as B-1 bombers roar overhead, Xi beside him stays unfazed - [Unknown](https://aboluowang.com/2026/0924/2437469.html) — Incredible! During the Welcoming Ceremony, Two Bombers Suddenly Roared Overhead, Leaving Xi Jinping Stunned. ## Questions **When did Xi Jinping visit the United States?** Xi Jinping began a three-day state visit to the United States on September 23, 2026. The visit included a welcome ceremony at Joint Base Andrews where two B-1 bombers flew overhead. **How did Trump and Xi Jinping react to the bombers?** Reports differ on their reactions. Some stated President Trump winced, while Xi Jinping appeared unfazed. Others reported Xi was startled or stunned, and that Trump smiled. **What was the context of Xi Jinping's visit?** The visit was Xi Jinping's first to the US in more than a decade. It was marked by a welcome ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, which included a flyover of two B-1 bombers. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-winces-during-bomber-flyover-at-xi-jinping-welcome. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Trump winces during bomber flyover at Xi Jinping welcome", https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-winces-during-bomber-flyover-at-xi-jinping-welcome