Four most notable state dinner incidents

Published September 22, 2026 6:00am ET



President Donald Trump’s state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping continues a time-honored tradition, one with its fair share of memorable moments.

State dinners allow diplomacy to take place in a more informal environment, one that likewise opens the door for some more unguarded moments.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.