President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcome His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of The People’s Republic of China, and Madame Peng Liyuan for a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House this evening.
The First Lady led the preparations for the dinner, which will be attended by the official delegations as well as business leaders and government officials.
MENU
The menu showcases American ingredients with subtle Chinese influence, bringing the culinary traditions of both nations together. The meal begins with a toast of Schramsberg “Blanc De Noir,” honoring the historic “Toast to Peace” shared by President Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing in 1972. The same American sparkling wine served at that historic gathering continues to be enjoyed at White House functions today.
First Course
Yellow Squash Velouté
Wild Mushroom Fricassée
Crispy Pancetta
Scallion Oil
The first course offers a refined and silky-smooth velouté made of sweet yellow squash. This course is gently blended to highlight its delicate seasonal flavors of earthy wild mushrooms, sautéed with fresh herbs. Together, these ingredients create a rich fricassee, complemented by crispy pancetta for a savory and smoky contrast. A finishing drizzle of scallion oil adds vibrance and a subtle allium brightness to the dish.
Second Course
Sesame Crusted Sea Bass
Braised Baby Bok Choy
Roasted Garden Eggplant
Sauce Verte
The second course is prepared delicately with fresh seabass and coated in toasted sesame seeds. This combination creates a fragrant nutty crust while keeping the fish tender. The fish is served with crisp baby bok choy and roasted garden eggplant, creating lightly caramelized flavors. The dish is finished with a vibrant sauce verte of fresh herbs, which add brightness, acidity, and a garden character.
Dessert
Vanilla Crémeux & White House Honey Ice Cream
Walnut Frangipane
Sour Cherry Confit
The dessert course is a smooth vanilla crémeux with a vibrant sour cherry confit center, set a top a rich walnut frangipane. The dessert’s fruit shaped form is complimented by a delicate ice cream made with harvested White House honey.
ENTERTAINMENT
There will be several performances during the formal dinner, which will be headlined by Mr. Christopher Macchio, a classically trained tenor who performed at the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. The evening’s entertainment will feature performances by military musicians from the United States Marines Corps and the United States Army, including “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the United States Army Chorus, and the United States Army Strings.
FLORAL & DÉCOR
The décor for the evening is an expression of warmth and celebration and draws on the color red’s longstanding cultural significance throughout Chinese history. Urns showcase overflowing red blossoms. Tables are dressed in rich red linens and adorned with dahlias and ranunculus. Among the seasonal blooms, the tables feature vermeil from the White House collection. The Reagan State Service is featured on the tables. These details blend Chinese artistry and American tradition together, showcased within the timeless elegance of the White House.
I did not know the White House had their own honey production. Interesting.
The meal sounds scrumptious.
As a woman I am truly confused. Is Melania not going to wear a gown? If not isn’t that the first time EVAH that a First Lady has not worn a dress to the State Dinner? If that’s what she wearing then that isn’t about fashion…that’s a statement/message. She’s done statements/messages many times before with her sense of fashion.
And she didn’t put up her hair. It seems she wanted a more casual evening/less formal.
The room looked beautiful.
It’s a hideous outfit and isn’t even flattering on her. 🙁
It’s a lovely outfit, and Melania can wear a burlap bag and still look good.
It is out of the ordinary but it looks great on her. She could wear a potato sack and look good 😉
It looks like a designer’s idea of a female tuxedo. Compare Melania to her husband.
I had the same thought…..creative take on women’s “tuxedo style”.
She’s hiding her knives.
Honestly, I am also confused…and to be brutally frank, rather disappointed that FLOTUS chose this attire! It is not flattering, IMHO, and I am not sure what the message is that she is trying to send, but I am not a fan! I am sure that I will get blasted for my comment but this would have been an opportunity to showcase an America designer by wearing one of the lovely gowns that she has chosen in the past…
Its tough to decide what to wear when the guests show up in PJs.
It’s quite interesting that all 4 people wore something quite different. Traditional Tux for the Pres. Not sure what to call XI’s outfit, a fairly conservative Chinese style dress/outfit for the Chinese First Lady and then Melania in dressy pants and very fashion forward silky blouse with a big bow. Quite the contrasts. Honestly, the only one I like is the President in his tux, lol.
Xi’s outfit -from the Mao Zedong collection…. A timeless, asexual attire worn/modeled by every Communist official and wannabe. Fabric made from the finest silk-like polyester fibers. Fibers whose origin hails from Iranian thick sludge.
Aahh…. methinks the continuing production of this collection might have a supply chain problem.
My vote for today’s internet winner of the day goes to you.
I believe she is dressing for the photos which will be shown to the public in China.
Gorgeous setting.
My! But didn’t Xi get gussed up for the occasion!
Perhaps Trump should have worn Birkenstocks to help Xi fit in.
If Zelensky was there he could’ve worn his camouflage outfit! I don’t know if Xi does tuxedo.
It looks like a traditional Zhongshan suit. That is considered to be formal.
Melania says “Welp, I’m here with my big bow on”.
Mekania looks great no matter what she is wearing. It does look like the feminine form of a tux. Why not? The times they are a changin.
Hmm, what if you don’t like fish? No meat or fowl being served. Interesting. Maybe they know what the honored guests prefer. Dessert sounds scrumptious!
Mesquite grilled American bison calf ribeye steak would have been my choice.
Eh, maybe some day when I’m president.
Please invite me, Quantrill. I’ll bring the liquid dessert, American made only.
Didn’t notice what anyone is wearing til I saw all the post pointing it out.
Still don’t care.
Exactly…1st world complaints over one evenings outfit…it is impossible to please everyone all the time, assuming that is even a necessary goal. The First Lady is alway exceptionally elegant and respectful, in both her attitude and attire. In this instance she wore what she felt was appropriate for the evening. I applaud her styling.
Strong, independent, beautiful: Melania Trump
Melania Trump’s sleek and stunning Xi state dinner outfit is stylish tribute to Chinese culture
https://nypost.com/2026/09/24/us-news/melania-trumps-stunning-xi-state-dinner-outfit-is-stylish-tribute-to-chinese-culture/
“The stylish peony-motif brocade Dolce & Gabbana pants…”
Peonies!!!
Melanie’s pants are brocade with peony flower designs woven into the fabric; they must be stunning to see up close.
My Chinese friend, whose garden is fabulous, has peonies of every color growing. She says peonies are “the flower of China” and she loves anything/everything with peonies on it.
Melania did a fabulous job with everything.
Interesting differences in Chinese heights between the 3 ( 1 on the LHS; 2 on the RHS) and the 2 in the approx. middle.
The mincing details, starting with the menu — absurd & embarrassing — from input end to discharge end.
Truly this is a world of children.
I suppose hot pockets are considered gourmet?
Soylent Green [ a little joke ].
If food is “needed” to be “social,” then that’s not being “social” — that’s being under the influence of a drug (the food) in order to be “social.”
You should see a doctor about your TDS. I hear they now have a cure.
Not TDS — I support Pres. Trump — the criticism is wrt the attention & “importance” given to food [ biofuel ] , dress, etc. by the court & court observers.
My guess: Sundance may include these details for the “younger” members of TCTH to play with (playpen toys).
Example: Despite the clothing they wear, every well-dressed D is, IMO, a weak-minded (left) object-of-reproach (criminal); same for the RINOs; same for criminal-capitalist business folks; etc.
My guess, Melania, if a formal dress would’ve stolen the show. I’m guessing she didn’t want to do that, hence her more conservative look. If you know (or thing) your guest will be wearing a nice, but unflattering bag of a dress. And you are much more beautiful through almost anyone’s eyes, do you want to upstage her? I’m guessing not.
Oh my gosh – it’s 6:51 am and I am belly laughing! Thank you SpurrierFan!
Beautiful golden light from the sunset.
Almighty God’s palette.
A lovely, gracious event well done!
The more I look at the photo of all 4 of them together, the more I like the contrast between the 2 couples. Trump and Melania look so very American, a reminder that we are not like other countries.