President Donald Trump has suggested that his new White House gallery project may include a controversial jab at his predecessor, Joe Biden, in the form of a portrait of the notorious autopen.
In an interview with the Daily Caller, Trump floated the idea of adding what he called the “Biden Autopen” portrait to his upcoming “Presidential Wall of Fame,” a curated space currently under construction in the Rose Garden.
What is the “Presidential Wall of Fame”?
Trump’s latest initiative is part of a broader effort to redesign parts of the White House during his second term. The so-called “Wall of Fame” is envisioned as a display of portraits highlighting America’s leaders. But Trump signaled he intends to use the space not just for celebration, but for political satire.
“It’s a decision I have to make. We put up a picture of the autopen,” Trump told the outlet. He then shared a mock-up of the concept, which he said would be presented in black and white, minus the familiar smiling photo of Biden.
“This is going to be very controversial,” Trump added, predicting the portrait would draw strong reactions.
Why the autopen controversy matters
The autopen is an electric signature device that can replicate a person’s autograph on documents. It has been used by multiple US presidents for efficiency or when they were away from Washington.
Biden’s use of the tool, however, has become politically charged. In July, the White House announced an investigation into how frequently Biden relied on the autopen. Tens of thousands of documents have reportedly been turned over by the National Archives as part of the inquiry.
Critics argue that the device raises questions about presidential authenticity. One senior Trump administration official told reporters:
“The only time a legitimate use of the autopen should happen is if the president directed it. Otherwise, it calls into question whether he was actually engaged.”
Trump’s digs at Biden’s presidency
In the same interview, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Biden, calling him “a horrible president” and referencing Biden’s disclosure earlier this year of a prostate cancer diagnosis, which Trump mocked by claiming Biden had described it as “stage nine.”
“Stage nine. I’ve never heard of more than stage four,” Trump said, in remarks that quickly circulated online.
Part of a larger White House makeover
The “Wall of Fame” is only one piece of Trump’s ambitious White House renovation plan.
- $200 million ballroom: Trump announced last month that construction on a new ballroom will begin in September.
- Rose Garden restoration: He recently scolded a subcontractor for damaging custom limestone during maintenance work.
- Grounds revamp: The administration has prioritized reshaping the White House grounds in his first year back in office.
Together, these projects reflect Trump’s effort to leave a lasting mark not only on policy but on the physical image of the presidency.
What’s next?
It’s unclear when the “Presidential Wall of Fame” will officially be unveiled or whether the “Biden Autopen” portrait will make the final cut. The White House has not released renderings of the gallery or the mock-up portrait Trump described.
For now, the proposal blends Trump’s hallmark showmanship with his ongoing effort to frame Biden’s presidency as inauthentic. If carried through, the gallery could add another highly personal—and polarizing—element to Trump’s presidential legacy.
TL;DR
President Trump hinted at including a “Biden Autopen” portrait in his planned White House “Presidential Wall of Fame,” mocking Biden’s use of the signature device. The project, part of a broader Rose Garden renovation, is expected to spark controversy as Trump ties Biden’s autopen use to questions of authenticity in presidential leadership.