A 12-second video clip has circulated widely on social media, depicting uniformed US military personnel performing manual labor on a red carpet at Joint Base Andrews. The footage shows several service members on their hands and knees, hurriedly smoothing and cleaning the 30-meter carpet moments before Chinese President Xi Jinping exited his aircraft during a state visit hosted by then-President Donald Trump.

The video has sparked a range of reactions online, with some viewers questioning the appropriateness of military personnel performing tasks typically associated with ground crew or event staff. While the clip highlights the logistical preparations involved in high-level diplomatic arrivals, it has also become a focal point for critics who view the image as symbolic of the administration's approach to the visit. The footage captures a brief, behind-the-scenes moment of the elaborate protocol surrounding the arrival of a foreign head of state, emphasizing the pressure to ensure a flawless presentation for the visiting dignitary. There is no official comment from the Department of Defense regarding the specific duties assigned to the personnel in the video, nor has there been a formal explanation of why military staff were utilized for carpet maintenance.