Trump replaces Biden Portrait with Autopen Image in Presidential gallery Display
WASHINGTON – Former president Donald Trump has conspicuously replaced a portrait of his successor, Joe Biden, with a photograph of an autopen signing Biden’s name in a newly unveiled display of past commanders-in-chief.The move,revealed Wednesday,is the latest in a series of actions by Trump aimed at delegitimizing Biden and disputing the outcome of the 2020 election.
The display, featuring portraits of previous presidents, notably omits a headshot of Biden and rather showcases an image of an autopen mechanically reproducing Biden’s signature. This is a direct reference to Trump’s repeated, unsubstantiated claims that Biden was cognitively impaired during the latter stages of his presidency and that his management may have used the device to forge his signature on official documents.
Trump has consistently refused to acknowledge his defeat to Biden, falsely attributing the result to widespread voter fraud. He reiterated these claims during remarks at the UN general assembly earlier this week.
The use of an autopen by presidents is not unprecedented; other administrations have utilized the device to sign documents.However, Trump has questioned the validity of pardons and other official actions signed by Biden via autopen, prompting a Republican-led House committee to launch an investigation into the Biden administration’s use of the device.
Trump had previously indicated his intention to represent Biden with an autopen image.The new display is part of a broader pattern of alterations Trump has made to the White House since returning to office, including adding gold flourishes to the Oval Office, installing larger flagpoles, replacing the Rose Garden grass with patio stone, and initiating construction of a new ballroom. White House staff promoted the completed display via social media Wednesday afternoon. A first in-person viewing for the media is anticipated during a dinner Trump is hosting Wednesday evening on the adjacent Rose Garden patio.
