‘Mine’s not an autopen’: Trump strikes out Biden’s signature, hand-signs Presidential Award
ROME, GEORGIA: ATrump signs a supporter’s Presidential Lifetime Award, striking out Biden’s name Joe Biden signature and replace it with his own.
Trump, who has often criticized the use of autopens, immediately understood the request, telling the supporter, "I know exactly what that is. I will," before picking up a pen.
Trump mocks Biden while signing the award
"Mine’s not an autopen. You know that’s an auto. You want me to cross it off?" Trump said as he began striking through Biden’s name. He added, "That’s an autopen signature. That’s it. You think he signed it? He didn’t sign that. Crazy stuff, right?"
After completing the autograph, Trump handed the award back to the recipient with a smile, declaring, "Now you have a real lifetime achievement award."
Trump calls autopen documents ‘null and void’
This personal interaction reflects Trump’s broader stance on autopens during Biden’s presidency. He has repeatedly claimed that executive actions signed by the autopen are "null, void, and of no further force or effect," including proclamations, executive orders, and pardons. Trump insists that documents lacking a physical, manual signature from the president hold no legal authority.
While both Republican and Democratic presidents have historically used autopens to manage high volumes of official paperwork, Trump has framed their use under Biden as a sign of weakness and lack of control.
Trump rejects autopens at official signing events
Trump’s rejection of autopens has become a recurring theme at official ceremonies. At a recent executive order signing supporting the coal industry, he emphasized his manual signing process, stating, "We don't use autopens," while instructing the Pentagon to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants.
By personally signing the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, Trump reinforced his message about authenticity and control, turning a brief supporter interaction into a broader statement about the value of a personal signature in official acts.
