President Donald Trump shared an apparently altered photograph of himself welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States, with first lady Melania Trump and Xi's wife, Peng Liyuan, missing from the image while another woman remained visible behind him. The picture, posted on Truth Social on Thursday, Sept. 24, prompted speculation about whether the woman was Trump's executive assistant Natalie Harp, although reporting identified her as U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley.
The photograph depicted Trump saluting beside Xi during Wednesday's arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, with a military aircraft flying overhead. It carried the words "Only Trump," but differed from photographs and video of the event in several respects, including the apparent disappearance of both first ladies.
The discrepancy drew attention as Trump hosted Xi for a three-day state visit involving diplomatic ceremonies and discussions between the two governments. The White House had previously announced that Trump and Melania would welcome Xi and Peng at Joint Base Andrews before a formal arrival ceremony at the White House the following day.
According to The New Republic, video of the airport welcome showed the two leaders accompanied by their wives, who were either obscured or removed in Trump's version of the photograph. Crowley, however, remained visible behind the president, creating confusion among social-media users who believed the woman resembled Harp.
The image contained other differences from the original event. Footage of the military flyover showed Trump visibly wincing as a B-1 bomber passed overhead, while the photograph he shared presented him maintaining a composed expression and holding a salute.
Mediaite and other outlets also drew attention to the president's gloves. Photographs taken during the arrival showed Trump wearing gloves on both hands, but the image posted to Truth Social appeared to show only one.
Journalist Aaron Rupar circulated comparisons between the original photographs and Trump's post, drawing attention to the apparent alterations. He suggested that Crowley's appearance had been modified to resemble Harp, although that assessment has not been established through an independent forensic examination.
The identity of the woman became a separate controversy as users speculated that Harp had been inserted into the picture after the first ladies were removed. Some went further, alleging that she had personally altered the photograph, despite the absence of evidence identifying its creator.
The Independent initially identified the woman as Harp before correcting its report to name Crowley. The publication said the woman in Trump's image was the U.S. chief of protocol, a former Fox News personality who joined the administration in 2025.
Crowley has served as chief of protocol since May 30, 2025, after previously holding a senior public-affairs position at the Treasury Department during Trump's first administration. Her current responsibilities include advising the president and other senior officials on diplomatic protocol when receiving foreign leaders and dignitaries.
Her presence at Xi's arrival was consistent with those duties. Crowley also published photographs of herself from the event, providing additional context for identifying the woman standing behind Trump in the original image.
Harp, meanwhile, is a familiar presence in Trump's inner circle. As his executive assistant, she frequently accompanies the president and has been reported to assist with his social-media activities, circumstances that helped fuel speculation about her possible involvement in the altered photograph.
Nothing publicly established indicates that Harp created, commissioned or approved the image. It also remains unclear whether she attended Wednesday's airport welcome or had any involvement in the photograph's publication.
The controversy unfolded during Xi's first U.S. state visit in more than a decade. The White House scheduled a formal arrival ceremony on Thursday, followed by meetings between the two presidents and a state dinner attended by senior officials and invited guests.
Trump and Melania appeared together at Thursday's White House ceremony to welcome Xi and Peng, with official photographs documenting both couples' participation. The event followed Wednesday's military welcome at Joint Base Andrews, where the photograph subsequently shared by Trump had been taken.
