Trump Joked to Xi About Biden Portrait Autopen
The President joked about the former administration during a tour of a new White House portrait display.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in International Relations
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President Donald Trump gave Xi Jinping a tour of the new Presidential Walk of Fame at the White House on Thursday. During the walk, Trump joked about using an autopen to sign the portrait of Joe Biden.
Why it matters
The display serves as a focal point for the President to criticize the record of his predecessor. It highlights the ongoing tensions regarding the legitimacy of past executive actions and administration processes.
The Presidential Walk of Fame, installed in September 2025, features gold-framed portraits along the West Colonnade. The display explicitly uses an autopen for the Biden portrait, a claim which Joe Biden has denied.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping serves as the President of the People's Republic of China.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is a former President of the United States who received 81 million votes.
The details
The President claimed that aides to Joe Biden used an autopen to sign official pardons and executive orders during his term. Trump gestured toward the display while explaining his reasoning to Xi Jinping during the tour.
Timeline
September 2025: President Donald Trump installed the Presidential Walk of Fame.
Thursday, September 24, 2026: Trump gave a tour of the display to Xi Jinping.
Political Context
This event follows the 2025 installation of the Presidential Walk of Fame, which has become a permanent feature of the White House West Colonnade. The display is frequently used by the current administration to frame the legacy of past presidents through specific physical installations.
The use of autopen machines for executive documents remains a subject of concern regarding the accountability of signed presidential actions. Taxpayers and citizens may see continued debate over the legitimacy of past federal orders as this narrative continues to circulate.
The takeaway
The display of presidential portraits is being used as a tool for historical revision and political messaging within the White House. Understanding the intent behind these displays is crucial for discerning the current administration's view on its predecessor.
Further reading
For more on how recent administrations navigate global ties, visit International Relations.
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