White House Autopen Jest
Trump Shows Xi Jinping An Autopen Portrait Of Biden During White House Visit
Anonymous
Key Points
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Before their scheduled Oval Office meeting, Trump took Xi on a tour that included viewing the newly installed granite landing pad for Marine One and the construction site of a future White House ballroom.
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The display has two portraits of Trump—one for each of his terms—and an autopen image in place of a conventional Biden portrait; the articles describe the image as part of Trump’s effort to ridicule Biden’s use of the signing device.
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Xi’s visit opened with an unusually elaborate welcome: Trump greeted him at Joint Base Andrews, where he received a red-carpet rollout; another account describes a 100-foot carpet and a military flyover.
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Jimmy Kimmel mocked Trump’s tour as resembling a child showing off possessions to a new friend, citing the gold-painted walls, the partially built ballroom and the helipad.
President Trump showed Chinese leader Xi Jinping an autopen portrait—a mechanical signing device—displayed where Joe Biden's official picture should hang, joking, "This is the autopen … it's Biden." Hindustan Times reported that Xi and his team laughed at the exchange. The moment sparked fierce criticism across the political spectrum, with AOL noting condemnation over mocking a former president on the international stage during what was supposed to be a serious diplomatic summit.
The autopen display sits along the White House's Presidential Walk of Fame. The 90-minute Oval Office meeting that preceded the tour covered trade, artificial intelligence, and regional security tensions. Despite describing their talks as constructive, the leaders announced no major new bilateral agreement, Joe My God reported.
Trump's Elaborate Welcome and Campus Tour
Xi arrived at Joint Base Andrews for an unusually formal greeting. A 100-foot red carpet rolled out, accompanied by a military flyover and honor guard. Trump then led Xi on an extended White House grounds tour showcasing recent renovations: a newly completed granite landing pad for Marine One and an East Wing ballroom still under construction. Trump remarked that Xi "loves good granite."
Jimmy Kimmel mocked the tour on late-night television, likening Trump's behavior to a child showing off toys to a new friend. Kimmel highlighted the gold-painted walls, the half-built ballroom, and the granite helipad as emblematic of Trump's priorities during high-stakes diplomacy.
Bipartisan Backlash Over Presidential Decorum
Critics across the political spectrum condemned the autopen mockery as unpatriotic. AOL reported widespread outrage described as "utterly disgusting." Former Congressman John Delaney called it "the most un-American thing an American president has ever done." Opponents argued Trump demeaned the presidency in front of an authoritarian leader for domestic political theater.
Mediaite documented the furious online backlash. Critics said Trump weaponized a foreign leader's state visit to ridicule his political rival, breaking traditional diplomatic norms. The White House released video of the exchange on official social media, amplifying the moment globally.
Autopen: The Eleven-Year Feud Over Biden's Signature Device
Trump has long used the autopen—a mechanical device that signs routine documents—as a weapon against Biden's credibility. The autopen became shorthand in Trump's attacks on Biden's mental acuity and presidential legitimacy. By installing an autopen image in place of Biden's official portrait, Trump made the mockery permanent on White House grounds.
The Presidential Walk of Fame now displays two Trump portraits marking his non-consecutive terms, with the Biden autopen positioned alongside them. Trump supporters framed the moment as authentic charm and transparency. Xi's laughter, they argued, showed genuine personal rapport between the two leaders despite trade and geopolitical tensions.
Summit Yields No Major Agreements on Trade or AI
The bilateral meeting lasted 90 minutes and covered three major topics: trade tariffs, artificial intelligence governance, and regional security. Both leaders described the talks as constructive and positive. However, no formal new agreement emerged from the discussions, signaling limits to diplomatic progress despite the elaborate ceremonial welcome.
Xi's visit marked his first U.S. state visit in 11 years. The White House hosted a formal state dinner that evening. The timing and tone of Trump's autopen display overshadowed substantive discussions on trade friction and technology policy, drawing focus to domestic political messaging instead.
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