GOP Senator Calls Trump’s Xi Dinner ‘WTF Moment’ Amid Diplomatic Concerns

GOP Sen. Thom Tillis calls Trump's Xi visit a 'WTF moment,' citing concerns over U.S.-China relations and diplomatic priorities.

Editorial Desk

September 25, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, United States — Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state dinner, calling it a ‘WTF moment’ and expressing concern over the administration’s focus on authoritarian leaders rather than democratic allies.

In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, Tillis highlighted the contrast between the warm reception given to Xi and the more limited engagement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He argued that the visit raised questions about the administration’s strategic priorities and the potential implications of engaging with China’s leadership.

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Tillis pointed to ongoing issues such as China’s human rights violations against the Uyghur population, its espionage activities, and alleged access to U.S. voter data. He also questioned the delay in sending arms to Taiwan and urged the administration to maintain pressure on China for actions deemed unacceptable. Despite Trump’s earlier tough stance on trade, Tillis noted the shift in tone and speculated about undisclosed factors behind the change in approach.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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