Unclear beverage moment at Trump Xi banquet draws scrutiny

A fleeting moment during a high-profile state banquet in Beijing has become a new talking point in the effort by U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to steady relations after months of friction. During a welcoming banquet on May 14 at the Great Hall of the People, Trump appeared to raise a stemmed glass toward Xi and take a brief sip while the leaders exchanged remarks. The episode drew immediate attention because Trump has repeatedly presented himself as a lifelong teetotaler, linking his abstinence to the death of his older brother, Fred Trump Jr., whose struggles with alcoholism were widely cited in Trump’s personal accounts.

Footage from the dinner showed Trump holding a glass alongside Xi and other officials, with attendees seated around them also holding glasses resembling wine or champagne. However, no official confirmation has been provided about what beverage Trump was served, and the video does not clearly establish its contents. White House officials have not publicly addressed the moment, leaving the question of whether Trump consumed alcohol unresolved.

Trump has for years described his avoidance of alcohol as a rule shaped by family...