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US President Donald Trump turned the White House tour with Chinese President Xi Jinping into a moment of political theatre, pointing Xi to a display featuring an autopen signing former President Joe Biden’s name and joking, "This is the autopen, it's Biden". The remark drew a loud laughter from the Chinese President.
The exchange took place as Trump escorted Xi through the White House's Presidential Walk of Fame, where Trump has installed displays dedicated to US presidents.
A video released by the White House showed the two leaders walking along the Colonnade. Trump first gestured towards his own portraits on the wall, including two images representing his two non-consecutive terms as president.
He then pointed to the display between them, where an image of an autopen signing Biden's name has been placed instead of a conventional portrait of the 46th US president.
"Trump and then Trump and this is the autopen," Trump said as he pointed to the display.
Xi laughed as Trump continued the joke.
"It's Biden," Trump said, patting Xi on the arm, according to the video.
Rather than a traditional portrait of Biden, Trump has installed an image showing an autopen signing the former president’s name. The display is part of Trump’s broader criticism of his predecessor and his repeated focus on Biden’s use of the mechanical signature device while in office.
Trump has repeatedly questioned whether Biden personally authorised actions and documents signed using an autopen. Those claims have been disputed, and reporting has found no evidence that Biden’s use of the device meant he was unaware of, or had not authorised, documents bearing his signature.
On Thursday, Trump welcomed Xi to the White House for a state visit, his first US visit in more than a decade, for a high-profile summit that included a state dinner attended by the two leaders and their wives.
During the visit, Trump also showcased parts of the White House complex to Xi, including a newly constructed helipad. Later, he invited dinner guests to view the site of a new ballroom he is building nearby.
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