Arabella Kushner, daughter of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, made her debut at a White House state dinner on Thursday evening, greeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, in Mandarin. The 15-year-old, who has studied the language since early childhood, welcomed the visiting dignitaries in their native tongue during their arrival ceremony. Xi and Peng expressed their surprise at how much Kushner had grown since their last meeting.
The event took place at the White House, where President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted the Chinese leaders. The evening began with a military review before proceeding to a formal state dinner featuring traditional American and Chinese dishes, including fish and vegetables.
President Xi praised the meticulous planning of the event, commending the attention to detail. “Everything is done to the highest order of perfection, and there is thought in every little detail, and it’s greatly appreciated,” he said during a tea reception in the Red Room on Friday. President Trump also spoke positively about the visit, stating, “America is very happy about this visit, and I’m sure China is very happy also. Great things for both countries.”
Among the moments that garnered notable attention was the discovery of two thermoses placed at the spots of President Xi and Madame Peng during the dinner. Observers noted that the presence of the black and white thermoses amidst formal state china was unusual. In Chinese culture, it is customary to carry personal thermoses filled with hot beverages, a practice supported by public facilities offering boiling water. Although the contents of the thermoses were not disclosed, such flasks traditionally contain goji berries, red dates, or Chinese medicinal herbs.
First Lady Melania Trump made a distinctive fashion choice for the black-tie event, appearing in pants rather than a gown. She wore a white Saint Laurent blouse adorned with a large bow, paired with black tuxedo-style pants by Dolce & Gabbana that featured a subtle peony pattern—a flower symbolizing wealth, nobility, prosperity, and romantic beauty in Chinese culture. Completing her ensemble were a black silk cummerbund and black Christian Louboutin heels. Her look attracted widespread attention online.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s attire drew some curiosity, though specific details were not widely reported. The visit underscored efforts to maintain diplomatic ties between the United States and China, marked by cultural exchanges and formal protocol observed at the White House.