Donald Trump was seen drinking from a champagne glass during his state visit to China, despite his longstanding claim that he has never consumed alcohol in his life.
The surprising video has spread widely online after the US President’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
While body language experts have examined every interaction between the two world leaders, another detail quickly drew the attention of viewers.
Trump and Xi met on May 14. Trump received an imperial welcome before the leaders got down to business, discussing topics including trade, Taiwan, and the Middle East.
Beyond their conversations, handshakes, and the praise Trump gave his Chinese counterpart, chaos erupted among the media before the talks began.
The foul-mouthed exchange left viewers stunned. Later, they were left with their jaws on the floor when Trump appeared to take a sip of alcohol, despite his repeated vows against it.
Trump drinks after a toast to Xi Jinping
Experts noted that the relationship between the two leaders remained positive, even with some assertive behavior from both sides. The exchange seemed mutual.
The show of respect continued. After a toast delivered in Mandarin, Trump was seen standing on stage and listening carefully.
Once it ended, he took a champagne glass from a waiter’s platter, raised it in honor of the Chinese leader following the historic summit, and took a gulp of the liquid.
After drinking, he placed the glass back on the platter and remained on stage a little longer to applaud the crowd, who clapped in return.
Why doesn’t Donald Trump drink alcohol?
It has long been reported that Trump avoids alcohol because his older brother died from complications related to a drinking problem.
The President appeared to break his strict personal rule as a sign of respect for Xi.
While it is not 100 percent certain what liquid was in the glass, its appearance and the context of the evening suggest it may have contained alcohol.
Trump has stated that he’s never drunk in his life, a decision linked to the death of his brother Fred, who died from alcoholism in 1981 at the age of 42.
The BBC reports that former bartenders from 1990s New York, where Trump lived for decades, claimed he would often be served champagne and even vodka, and that he “nursed” drinks during nights out.
However, those close to the President, including the man who introduced him to his wife Melania, insist that he never drank and always stuck to his favorite drink, Diet Coke.
Trump explains why he doesn’t drink
Speaking to Fox News in 2016, Trump claimed that he has “never had a drink,” unlike many Presidents before him.
George W. Bush became teetotal after giving up alcohol on his 40th birthday, but Trump says he has been sober his entire life — a first for US presidents.
He opened up about the death of his brother, saying: “It was a very tough period of time,” adding that the experience ensured he would never drink.
“If you don’t start you’re never going have a problem. If you do start you might have a problem. And it’s a tough problem to stop,” the President told the news outlet.
His belief that one drink could spiral into addiction was notable, and he said he has enforced these same beliefs with his children.
He would forbid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, adding: “I’ve been very tough on my children with respect to drink.”
