U.S. President Donald Trump has added a new feature to the exterior of the White House — a “Presidential Walk of Fame” — displaying portraits of past commanders-in-chief along the West Wing Colonnade. But one detail has stirred controversy: Joe Biden’s portrait was replaced with an image of an autopen signing his name.
The gallery, unveiled on Wednesday, September 24, features framed portraits of every former president. However, instead of Biden’s official portrait, Trump opted for a photograph of the mechanical device used to sign his name on official documents.
The White House drew attention to the display on social media, describing it as a tribute to “true presidential leadership.”
Trump has repeatedly criticized Biden for his use of the autopen, a standard tool for signing documents when a president is unavailable. While the practice has been used by multiple administrations, Trump has claimed that Biden’s reliance on it proves he was “not really running the country.”
In recent months, Trump has suggested that all pardons signed with the autopen during Biden’s term should be considered invalid.
Biden responded to the move in a statement, rejecting Trump’s claims.
“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency — on pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false,” Biden said.
Trump had hinted at the decision earlier this month, telling The Daily Caller that “putting up a picture of the autopen” was something he was considering as part of his effort to highlight what he views as Biden’s “failed legacy.”
The colonnade, built during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, is one of the White House’s most iconic features, serving as a passage between the West Wing and the Executive Residence.
This latest move is part of a pattern of Trump reshaping White House symbols to reflect his political views. In June, he ordered the removal of Hillary Clinton’s portrait, replacing it with a red, white, and blue painting of himself. In August, portraits of Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and George H.W. Bush were relocated to a less prominent part of the White House.
