President Donald Trump has introduced a new “Presidential Walk of Fame” along the West Wing Colonnade of the White House, showcasing framed portraits of former presidents. The display, however, has sparked controversy after President Joe Biden was represented not by his portrait, but by a photograph of an autopen.
The unusual choice comes as Trump continues to highlight Biden’s use of the autopen during his presidency. Trump has previously accused Biden of relying on the device to sign official documents, questioning his cognitive fitness for office. In June, Trump even ordered an investigation into Biden’s use of the autopen, citing concerns about what he called “cognitive decline.”
At the time, Biden dismissed the claims, insisting that he personally made presidential decisions and that suggestions otherwise were “ridiculous and false.” His advisers have also denied any attempt to conceal information about his health.
The new display aligns with remarks Trump made earlier this year, when he suggested that Biden’s portrait would be replaced with an image of the autopen. Critics see the move as a pointed jab rather than a neutral commemoration.
Former Biden deputy press secretary Chris Meagher commented on X, mocking the focus on the walkway makeover instead of policies that address the needs of struggling families.
This is not the first time Trump has reshaped the White House’s presentation of history. He previously relocated portraits of Barack Obama and George W. Bush and even swapped Hillary Clinton’s portrait with one of himself. More recently, Trump revamped the Rose Garden, paving it with marble and stone tiles to resemble his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Trump is scheduled to host a “Rose Garden Club” dinner, where guests will also get their first look at the Presidential Walk of Fame. For supporters, the project reflects Trump’s flair for symbolism; for critics, it underscores his focus on political rivalries even in presidential tradition.
