Trump's Truth Social photo with Xi sparks speculation about manipulation and missing details

A photo shared by President Donald Trump from his meeting with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping has caused questions and speculation throughout the internet.

On Thursday, Trump shared the photo on his Truth Social platform. In it, the president stands next to Xi, with Trump’s arm raised in a salute. The words “Only Trump” are in the picture as the two leaders stand in the foreground at the front of the red carpet with Xi’s plane in the background. Overhead, a military plane flies past the scene.

A lone woman is also caught in the picture. Some on the internet have speculated that is was Trump’s personal aide Natalie Harp. But the woman is Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley, a former Fox News anchor who joined the Trump administration.

Others have questioned if the photo was made by AI. Trump was mocked for flinching during the flyover, and was caught by cameras clenching his teeth and ducking his head. Others pointed out other issues with the picture, such as Trump missing a glove on one hand, but it appearing in other pictures from the event. In addition, the shoes Crowley was seen wearing in the original Reuters photograph – similar to Mary Janes with a horizontal strap across the top – appear to have been changed to classic pumps in the picture posted on Truth Social.

Notably absent from the picture shared on Truth Social was first lady Melania Trump, who was also present at the event.

A number of social media users questioned whether the photo had been manipulated, whether through AI or other means.

“Why take the glove off his left hand??” wrote one X user. In pictures taken by photojournalists, the president can be seen wearing two black gloves.

“There’s a lot of slop,” another user chimed in.

“He AI edited out his wife but left Natalie?” questioned a third user, though the woman in the photo is actually Crowley.

Crowley has served as U.S. chief of protocol since 2025, advising the president on diplomatic protocol.

She has accompanied Trump during other meetings with other world leaders, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla. She also traveled with Trump to Beijing for his state visit in May.

On Thursday, Trump and Xi struck a positive tone about their relationship and outlined areas for cooperation as the state visit got underway.

“From the time of my first election in 2016, President Xi and I have forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually, built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people,” Trump said. He added that the two leaders would discuss artificial intelligence and other pressing issues.

Xi said he and Trump had established a “personal rapport” and called for closer diplomatic ties in order to bring about a peaceful coexistence.

“It should be a race of catching up with one another, not a wrestle in which one either wins or loses,” the Chinese leader said.

An earlier version of this story and headline incorrectly identified the person in the photo as Donald Trump's personal aide Natalie Harp. The person in the frame is Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley.