Trump Replaces Biden’s Portrait with Autopen Image in Presidential Gallery
Trump Replaces Biden’s Portrait with Autopen Image in Presidential Gallery
In a move that has sparked widespread debate, U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new addition to the White House a “Presidential Walk of Fame” featuring portraits of all previous commanders-in-chie.
The gallery, mounted on the exterior of the White House, showcases framed images of America’s past leaders, but with one striking exception: President Joe Biden.
Instead of Biden’s official portrait, the installation features an image of an autopen a device commonly used for mechanically replicating signatures. The unusual substitution has raised questions about its symbolism, with critics interpreting it as a deliberate slight against the former president.
Unveiling the gallery on Wednesday, Trump described the project as a tribute to “the legacy and leadership of those who shaped America’s destiny,” but did not offer a clear explanation for the omission of Biden’s portrait.
White House aides, however, suggested that the autopen image was intended to highlight Biden’s alleged overreliance on staff and signature devices during his presidency, a point Trump has frequently attacked in his public remarks.
The move has already drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers, historians, and the public. While Trump supporters praised the installation as “bold” and “truth-telling,” opponents condemned it as “petty” and “unpresidential.”
Political analysts warn that the decision risks further deepening partisan divides at a time when the country faces pressing economic and security challenges.
“The presidential portrait tradition has always been about unity and continuity,” said Dr. Elaine Morris, a political historian at Georgetown University.
“To single out one president in this way undermines that spirit.”
The White House has not indicated whether Biden’s official portrait will eventually be added to the gallery or whether the autopen image will remain a permanent fixture.
