Donald Trump hangs autopen image instead of Joe Biden’s portrait in new ‘Presidential Walk of Fame’
US President Donald Trump has taken an extraordinary swipe at former President Joe Biden as he unveiled the new “Presidential Walk of Fame” at the White House.
The installation, located along the West Wing Colonnade, features black-and-white portraits of former presidents in ornate gold frames.
However, nestled between two portraits of Mr Trump himself, commemorating his service as both the 45th and 47th president, one notable absence stood out — there was no photograph of the 46th president, Joe Biden.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Instead, where Mr Biden’s portrait would traditionally hang, the display featured a framed image of an autopen, the mechanical device used to replicate signatures.
The unusual substitution appears to be a symbolic critique, reflecting Mr Trump’s ongoing attacks on Mr Biden’s cognitive ability and decision-making during his term.
“The Presidential Walk of Fame has arrived on the West Wing Colonnade,” Special Assistant to the President and Communications Adviser Margo Martin wrote in a post on X on Wednesday (local time), accompanied by a video of the gallery.
“Wait for it....” Ms Martin added to the post, alongside a pen emoji.
The White House’s official X page shared a photo of the President admiring the new portrait gallery on his way to the Oval Office.
Mr Trump has obsessively pushed claims that Mr Biden didn’t understand what was going on during his presidential term because of the use of an autopen to sign legislation and pardons.
Mr Biden has previously pushed back on Mr Trump’s criticism.
“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false,” Mr Biden told the New York Times in July.
“The autopen is, you know, is legal. As you know, other presidents used it, including Trump,” he added.
“They’ve lied so consistently about almost everything they’re doing. The best thing they can do is try to change the focus and focus on something else.
“It’s consistent with Trump’s game plan all along.”
Mr Trump has previously moved portraits of other former presidents, including George W Bush and Barack Obama, and replaced former First Lady Hillary Clinton’s portrait with one of himself.
