President Donald Trump has introduced a new “Presidential Walk of Fame” along the West Wing Colonnade, featuring framed black-and-white portraits of U.S. presidents in gold trim. The display, unveiled this week, adds a ceremonial touch to the White House grounds but has already sparked debate over one striking omission: President Joe Biden’s official portrait.
Instead of a traditional image, Biden is represented by a photograph of an autopen—a pointed reference to Trump’s longstanding criticism of his predecessor’s use of the device. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Biden relied on the autopen for key presidential actions, linking it to what he describes as signs of “cognitive decline.” Earlier this summer, Trump even directed a formal inquiry into Biden’s use of the tool and whether aides sought to conceal his mental and physical health.
Biden has firmly rejected those assertions, stating, “I made the decisions during my presidency… Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.” His spokesperson declined to comment on the new installation.
The Walk of Fame reflects Trump’s view that not all presidents should be honored equally. In a recent interview, he openly suggested that Biden’s portrait would be substituted with an autopen image—an idea now realized. The move has drawn sharp reactions, with former Biden aides criticizing the display as a distraction from pressing policy issues.
The unveiling comes as Trump continues to remake the White House’s public spaces. Earlier this summer, he redesigned the Rose Garden with marble tiling, new lighting, and a “club-style” atmosphere modeled after his Mar-a-Lago estate. The revamped garden will host the first “Rose Garden Club” dinner this week, offering guests a chance to see both the new patio design and the Walk of Fame portraits.
Together, these updates highlight Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape the aesthetics and symbolism of the White House—while keeping his rivalry with Biden firmly in the public eye.
