Yep, this happened. Multiple White House pool reporters confirmed it, including NY Post’s Emily Goodin who posted it live from the tarmac. d7c4
*What actually went down on May 15, 2026 in Beijing:*
*1. The disposal*
Before boarding Air Force One, the entire US delegation — staff, press pool, CEOs like Tim Cook and Jensen Huang — dumped every item given by Chinese hosts into bins at the bottom of the stairs.
That included:
- Burner phones issued for the trip
- Credential badges and press passes
- Lapel pins, gifts, commemorative souvenirs d7c4
*2. Why*
Directive was “nothing from China allowed on the plane”. Standard counter-intelligence protocol for high-level visits to China/Russia. Burner phones are used because personal devices are assumed compromised. Personal phones were left in the US or kept in Faraday bags. d7c4
*3. Trump’s comment*
When asked about spying, Trump said: “We didn’t discuss it because we also spy on them as they do on us”. 5161
*4. Is this new?*
No. US delegations have run this “clean departure” protocol in Beijing and Moscow for years. What’s different this time is it happened in full view of cameras and got posted by pool reporters immediately. 0875