Who’s on Board? Unveiling the Key Figures Accompanying President Trump on His China Visit

President Donald Trump has set off for a crucial meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the ongoing conflict in Iran forming a tense backdrop to their discussions.

Unlike the 2017 visit, First Lady Melania Trump will not accompany the President on this trip. However, Brett Ratner, the director known for the Melania documentary, is part of the entourage. Ratner plans to scout potential filming sites for “Rush Hour 4” during the visit, as initially reported by the South China Morning Post.

Joining the President are his son Eric Trump and Eric’s wife, Lara. The couple mistakenly entered through the wrong doors of Marine One and were redirected to the South Lawn, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also present for the official send-off.

Rubio graciously allowed the Trumps to board the presidential helicopter ahead of him.

During the flight on Air Force One, Rubio was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. With both military issues and trade negotiations on the agenda, their presence signifies the importance of these discussions.

On board Air Force One, Rubio was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer – as military conflicts and trade deals will be hot topics.

Trump is also bringing along some key aides, including Stephen Miller, Communications Director Steven Cheung, James Blair – who’s now working outside the White House to help Republicans win the midterms – and Walt Nauta. 

Notably absent from the list the White House provided was Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.  

Wiles was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in mid-March, but has continued working.

Principal deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly is staffing the trip due to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt being out on maternity leave. 

Natalie Harp, nicknamed the ‘human printer,’ for always traveling with a portable printer, is also on the trip. 

The White House also invited a business delegation to China, who appear to be traveling separately. 

That list included the former leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk. 

It’s been nearly a year since Trump and Musk had their dramatic feud, but Musk now appears to be fully back in the President’s good graces. 

The Tesla and SpaceX head will be joined by Apple’s Tim Cook, Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick – who worked in the first Trump administration and is married to GOP Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick – BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, and more, a White House official told the Daily Mail. 

Trump delayed the trip – originally scheduled for late March – by citing the active conflict in Iran. 

On a press call Sunday, a senior US official explained that Trump didn’t delay his meeting with Xi further by essentially arguing that the President can walk and chew gum at the same time. 

President Donald Trump waves as he departs Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday afternoon for Beijing, China 

‘Why would he not continue with all the other duties that he has as a US President?’ the official mused. ‘I don’t think he has the luxury to focus on just one sort of soda straw issue.’ 

The official noted how the Iran war has gone on for ‘weeks and weeks on end.’ 

‘I think, clearly, six weeks ago, we were in a bit more of an active situation in Iran, and the President made the decision to push it back. But I think, as of right now, obviously, we’re a go on the trip,’ the source said.  

Trump took one trip to China during his first term, in November 2017, less than a year after he was sworn in. 

While President Joe Biden took several trips to Asia, he never visited China during his single term. 

Instead, he met with Xi on the sidelines of several international conferences.