It started with a question and ignited a fierce exchange.
President Donald Trump recently raised eyebrows with a pointed claim: that Joe Biden may not have personally signed all executive orders during his presidency, instead relying on an autopen, a mechanical device that reproduces signatures.
While Trump offered no direct evidence, his remarks tapped into broader concerns he and others have long expressed about Biden’s leadership and fitness for office.
“If someone else is signing executive orders, what does that say about the man in the Oval Office?” Trump reportedly told supporters.
Biden Responds: “I Made the Decisions”
Former President Biden didn’t let the comment go unanswered.
“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency,” he told ABC News. “I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”
He also dismissed Trump’s push for a mental fitness inquiry, calling it “nothing more than a mere distraction.”
Autopen Use: Legal, But Still Controversial
Though rarely discussed in public, autopen usage is legal under Justice Department guidelines, as long as the president authorizes it. Several past presidents have reportedly used it for routine matters, particularly while traveling.
But Trump’s criticism isn’t about legality. It’s about perception. In an era where image and control matter as much as policy, Trump’s challenge speaks to lingering voter concerns about whether Biden was fully at the helm during his presidency.
From Well-Wishes to Watchdog
Not long ago, Trump struck a different tone. Following news of Biden’s cancer diagnosis in 2024, Trump publicly offered support:
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
It was a rare moment of civility, one that made headlines.
But with Trump now back in the White House and campaign rhetoric heating up again, scrutiny over the last administration is only intensifying. Whether his autopen accusation gains traction or not, Trump has once again steered the conversation and reminded voters that he’s not afraid to challenge the narrative.
