Donald Trump has long made no secret of his criticism of Joe Biden, and this week he found a fresh way to ridicule his predecessor. At the White House, Biden’s official portrait has reportedly been replaced with an image of an autopen—the mechanical device often used to replicate signatures.
The move comes amid a lingering political feud that dates back to the 2020 election. Trump and Biden were expected to face off again in 2024 until Biden withdrew due to health concerns, with Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic nominee. Biden’s health and fitness for office have remained frequent topics of debate, and Trump has repeatedly seized on the narrative to score political points.
The Autopen Controversy
Trump has for months criticized Biden’s use of the autopen. Reports suggested that during Biden’s later years in office, a significant portion of executive actions were signed mechanically rather than by hand. In June, Trump even ordered a review of Biden’s autopen use, claiming that it reflected a decline in cognitive function and raising questions about the legitimacy of decisions made with the device.
Biden, however, dismissed the claims, emphasizing that he made all presidential decisions personally, including pardons, executive orders, and proclamations. It’s worth noting that several previous presidents have legally used the autopen, and the Department of Justice has confirmed that presidents may delegate the physical signing of documents.
Still, Trump has argued that the device undermined transparency and accountability, calling for reviews of documents signed using the autopen, including clemency grants and executive orders.
