Trump and Xi Share a White House Tour Moment

The White House south portico with columns and balcony — Photo: Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB / Shutterstock

During a White House tour with China’s leader, President Trump pointed at a Biden-themed “autopen” display and said, “It’s Biden,” turning a policy fight into a viral diplomatic moment.

Story Highlights

Trump joked about President Biden and an autopen display while guiding Xi Jinping through the White House.
Video of the exchange shows Xi laughing as Trump delivers the line, “This is the autopen… It’s Biden”.
The exchange happened during Xi’s state visit on September 24–25, 2026, along the presidential portraits route.
The clip spread quickly online, feeding long-running fights over autopens and presidential authority.

What Happened During the White House Tour

On September 24, 2026, President Trump escorted China’s President Xi Jinping along a White House display of presidential portraits. As they walked, Trump gestured to images tied to his own time in office and then to a Biden-related “autopen” display. He said, “This is the autopen… It’s Biden.” Reports say Xi laughed at the line as aides and cameras looked on. Multiple outlets described the same sequence and setting from the posted video clip.

The moment was filmed and shared by official or allied accounts, which helped it spread fast on social platforms. The clip quickly became a talking point for both sides in the United States. Supporters treated it as a light jab about a real policy dispute. Critics framed it as rude to a predecessor during a sensitive diplomatic visit. The reporting packages tie the event to the White House tour with Xi over September 24–25, 2026.

Why “Autopen” Became a Flashpoint

The autopen debate did not start with this joke. For years, presidents have used a signature device for routine items. Legal experts and past opinions from the Department of Justice have said authorization, not ink, is what counts. Several explainers note that presidents from both parties have used autopens for some actions. Analysts say the deeper fight is about trust in how presidents exercise power, not the machine itself.

Trump has attacked Biden’s alleged use of an autopen for serious acts, such as pardons, since 2025. News outlets and experts have pushed back, saying the practice is not new and likely lawful when the president authorizes it. That background made the White House quip a sharp symbol. In one sentence, Trump mocked Biden’s legitimacy while standing beside America’s top rival, in a hall built to honor the office.

How a Short Clip Fueled a Bigger Narrative

Modern politics turns short video into meaning. A quick line, a gesture, and a laugh can drown out long policy talks. Outlets say the clip shows Trump naming two Trump portraits, then pointing to the autopen display, then explaining “It’s Biden.” That sequence let both sides project their larger claims about image, strength, and honesty. The exchange fit a pattern where small set pieces shape big public views.

Some coverage blasted the moment as un-American or disrespectful to a fellow American leader. Other pieces cast it as plain humor that landed with a rare laugh from Xi. Those reactions mirror a wider mood in the country. Many on the right and left feel leaders focus on optics over results. A hallway joke during a state visit can feel like more proof that showmanship beats substance, even when the legal core of the autopen issue is narrow.

What It Means for U.S.–China Optics and U.S. Politics

Diplomacy relies on signals. Trump used a domestic symbol to send one abroad. The joke reinforced his narrative that Biden’s team leaned on a machine to wield power. That message landed during a rare White House stroll with China’s leader. It may please supporters who want toughness and clarity. It may worry Americans who prefer tight protocol with rivals. Either way, the frame of the visit shifted to a memeable line.

For citizens who feel Washington is run by elites more focused on theater than results, the episode rings familiar. A device meant to save time became a stand-in for a fight about power and honesty. A state visit meant to manage trade, security, and tech risk turned on one viral beat. People who want lower costs, safer streets, and a fair shot may see the clip and think: leaders are still playing to the camera while real problems wait.