Donald Trump is encountering increased discontent from his staunch MAGA supporters following his recent high-profile trip to China. Despite the White House’s claims of a “historic reset” in relations, Trump’s discussions with President Xi Jinping did not result in significant trade or diplomatic achievements.
As RadarOnline.com noted, the 79-year-old US leader visited Beijing under mounting economic pressures at home, escalating tensions regarding Iran, and renewed concerns about Taiwan.
Trump was greeted with a grand ceremony at Zhongnanhai, the secretive leadership compound in central Beijing. However, he left the summit without securing commitments on rare earth minerals, Middle Eastern issues, or the large-scale aircraft deal his team had emphasized. Chinese authorities also refrained from openly supporting Trump’s stance on Middle East security or reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A source linked to conservative media personalities expressed that frustration within Trump’s political circle runs “deeper than supporters wanted to admit.”
According to a Washington insider, “many people expected Trump to overpower Xi and achieve major wins. Instead, they witnessed a tightly controlled visit where China conceded very little. Although disappointed, many MAGA influencers hesitate to voice this publicly, having long portrayed Trump as unbeatable on the global stage.”
Another Republican strategist, familiar with the reaction among Trump supporters, commented: “The trip was anticipated to appear as a powerful move. Instead, it favored Beijing in terms of optics. The base is confused due to the absence of a clear victory, leading them to feel utterly disappointed by Trump and view the trip as a complete failure.”
During the meetings, Xi issued a pointed warning to Trump, advising against “clashes and conflicts” over Taiwan and urging the US to avoid the “Thucydides Trap,” a theory that suggests war can occur when a rising power challenges an existing one.
Trump later sought to downplay the comment on Truth Social, asserting that Xi’s reference to American decline was directed towards former president Joe Biden rather than his own leadership.
“When President Xi very elegantly referred to the United States as perhaps being a declining nation, he was referring to the tremendous damage we suffered during the four years of Sleepy Joe,” Trump claimed.
The summit also exposed growing unease among some of Trump’s close media supporters.
Sean Hannity, who accompanied Trump to Beijing, questioned him in an interview about whether Xi had committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Trump responded: “He’s not going to respond too much. He’s a pretty cool guy. He’s not going to say that’s a good point.”
Right-wing YouTuber Benny Johnson initially praised the trip online, stating: “Trump is winning BIG Today. China trip is going better than anyone could have imagined.”
However, he later adopted a more cautious stance, noting that Trump merely “thinks” Xi will assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Back in Washington, Trump is also facing worsening economic indicators, with inflation rising to 3.8% and fuel prices exceeding $4.50 a gallon.
A recent CNN poll revealed that 70% of respondents disapproved of his handling of the economy, while only 30% approved.
Questions have re-emerged regarding the presence of Trump’s 42-year-old son, Eric Trump, on the China trip.
The Trump Organization maintained that he traveled in a “personal capacity,” despite Trump previously criticizing Hunter Biden’s business dealings in China during the 2024 election campaign.
During the trip, Trump also softened several previous anti-China positions, including criticism of Chinese land acquisitions in the US and the number of Chinese students attending American universities.
“I frankly think it’s good that people come from other countries and they learn our culture,” Trump remarked.
Later, he seemed to focus on the ceremonial aspects of the visit rather than its diplomatic outcomes, posting on Truth Social from Air Force One: “China has a Ballroom, and so should the U.S.A.!”
A political commentator ridiculed Trump’s China visit, suggesting he was dazzled by the pomp and ceremony, similar to what Trump arranged for King Charles during his recent US visit.
They wrote in a UK broadsheet newspaper: “China’s president Xi Jinping appears to have been studying King Charles’s royal playbook when dealing with Donald Trump.
“Step one: bedazzle the US President with pomp and circumstance and a ‘rare’ visit somewhere special.
“In Britain’s case, this was Windsor Castle. In China, it was Zhongnanhai – the secretive compound for the Chinese leadership set in ancient imperial gardens. Step two: follow the King’s example in Washington last month. Fob off the Great Narcissist with warm words about friendship between their two great nations before shafting him with such a subtle – but profoundly barbed – message that Trump is either obliged to pretend he hasn’t heard it, or has genuinely failed to grasp its import.”
They added: “Trump’s usual Maga cheerleaders were so perplexed by the China summit that they mostly ignored it.”
