Ivanka Trump’s teen daughter Arabella steals spotlight alongside Rubio and Hegseth at state dinner

WASHINGTON, DC: Ivanka Trump’s 15-year-old daughter Arabella Kushner made a rare public appearance at the White House on Thursday, September 24, as Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrived for a formal welcome.

Arabella sat in the front row beside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Ivanka was seated next to second lady Usha Vance. 

Arabella Kushner sits beside Marco Rubio at White House ceremony

Arabella was seen in an all-white outfit, seated between Ivanka and Rubio. Ivanka wore a vibrant blue gown with silver accents and a matching long-sleeve jacket.

Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, both dressed in blue, sat next to Ivanka.

Other senior officials in the front row included Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

Ivanka and Arabella were the only members of Trump’s family mentioned as having front-row seats alongside senior administration officials.

Ivanka later shared several photos of herself and Arabella posing at different locations around the White House.

Arabella Kushner’s earlier connection with Xi Jinping

Arabella’s appearance had an interesting link to Xi dating back to 2017, when she showed off her Mandarin skills at a state dinner with the Chinese president.

Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s eldest child has learned Mandarin as part of the extracurricular activities encouraged by her parents.

In 2017, President Donald Trump shared a video of Arabella singing a traditional Chinese song in Mandarin during a state dinner with Xi.

Chinese news agency Xinhuanet later reported that Xi gave her performance an “A+” and called her a “child star,” according to ABC affiliate WFAA.

Nearly a decade later, Arabella was again in the room for a major Xi-related event, this time as a teenager sitting alongside her mother at the White House.

Ivanka Trump and Arabella Kushner make a style statement

Arabella appeared to be wearing an $875 belted embellished crepe midi dress from Net-A-Porter, featuring flap pockets and buttons down the front.

Ivanka’s blue gown featured silver accents and was paired with a matching long-sleeve jacket.

Arabella has previously attracted attention in family photos, with some comparing her appearance to Ivanka after the first daughter shared throwback pictures while celebrating Trump’s 80th birthday in June.

Xi Jinping’s White House visit includes pandas and state dinner

Xi arrived in the US on Wednesday, with Trump rolling out the red carpet for the Chinese president.

Thursday’s White House welcome featured more red carpets and a 21-gun salute.

Trump and Xi are meeting over several days to discuss issues including trade, artificial intelligence and Iran.

During his White House appearance, Xi also announced that China would send two pandas to the US as an “envoy of friendship.”

“In a few days, two pandas – Ping Ping and Fuhuan – will come to their new home in Zoo Atlanta and meet with the American people,” he said.

Trump and Xi attended the state dinner on Thursday night alongside their wives, government officials, and top business leaders.

The menu was set to bring together culinary traditions from the United States and China. 

On Friday, the world leaders are expected to have tea at the White House and visit the National Archives before Xi departs the US.