A high-stakes diplomatic arrival turned into an viral fashion mystery when US President Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews wearing a heavy winter overcoat and black gloves, despite mild temperatures in the region. According to weather report, the temperture was around 65-degree Fahrenheit (18-degree Celsicus).

As the two major economies set the stage to hold multiple meetings on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, it witnessed a rare airfield reception with observers quickly fixated on the stark visual contrast between the two world leaders.

Trump's winter attire sparks online speculations

While President Xi stepped off his aircraft dressed in standard seasonal attire without outerwear or gloves, President Trump stood bundled against what aides described as a brisk tarmac breeze. On social media, users are even comparing the dress codes of both the leaders with their ages. Notably, Xi is in 70s while, the US President is in 80s.

Throughout the official greeting, which featured a 100-foot red carpet rollout, Trump repeatedly took his black leather gloves off and put them back on while exchanging handshakes with Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan.

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Mystry behind Trump's winter coat and gloves

The unusual wardrobe choice sparked rapid debate across social media platforms, with users floating theories ranging from diplomatic optics to health concerns. Some social media users questioned whether the president was managing an illness or taking extra precautions. Others speculated the gloves were chosen to conceal recent hand bruising, which the White House has previously attributed to high daily doses of aspirin and frequent, handshaking.

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Critics argued the heavy attire projected an image of frailty compared to a lighter-dressed Xi, while defenders noted brisk wind gusts on open runways or underlying joint conditions like arthritis. Despite the online speculations surrounding the president's attire, the high-level visit moved forward as scheduled. Following the tarmac ceremony, both leaders prepared for key bilateral discussions at the White House, with economic policy and strategic bilateral stability topping the agenda ahead of an evening state dinner.

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