In the ever-evolving world of political jabs and presidential legacies, the latest accusation from Donald Trump has sparked a new controversy — this time centered around something as surprisingly symbolic as a signature.

The claim? That former President Joe Biden didn’t personally sign key executive orders, pardons, and other historic decisions while he was in office — and instead let an autopen do it for him.

The device, which automatically reproduces a signature, has been used in government for decades in limited circumstances. But to Trump, the suggestion carries heavy implications about Biden’s mental fitness, his presence in office, and, ultimately, his ability to lead.

Now, Biden is firing back — and making it clear he’s not willing to let this narrative go unchecked.

Trump’s Claim: No Signature, No Substance
The allegation came as part of a broader critique Trump has been mounting for months — questioning Biden’s physical and cognitive capabilities. But this particular accusation took a different angle.

Trump claimed Biden allowed aides to use an autopen — a mechanical signing tool — to authorize executive decisions without his direct involvement. He framed it as an abdication of duty, suggesting Biden wasn’t even aware of what was being signed in his name.

Importantly, Trump provided no evidence to back the claim.

And yet, in today’s highly charged political environment, a baseless accusation is often enough to spark headlines and social media debates — particularly when it’s made by a former president.

Biden’s Response: “I Made the Decisions”
Joe Biden didn’t wait long to issue a rebuttal.

In a statement to ABC News, the former president rejected the autopen accusation as false and insulting.

“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false,” Biden said.

He went on to describe Trump’s attack as a distraction tactic, aimed not at truth but at redirecting attention from more pressing matters.

“This is nothing more than a mere distraction,” Biden added. “I stand by every decision I made in office.”

With that, Biden reasserted a fundamental point: that the weight of presidential decisions rests on the shoulders of the president — not the mechanics of how his signature ends up on paper.

What Is an Autopen, Anyway?
The autopen isn’t some new political gadget. It’s a long-standing tool that has been used by multiple U.S. presidents — from George W. Bush to Barack Obama — under very specific conditions.

Think of it as a mechanical arm that mimics a person’s signature with high precision. It’s used when the president is traveling, unavailable due to time zone differences, or unable to physically sign documents due to tight schedules.

In 2011, President Obama made headlines when he became the first sitting president to use an autopen to sign a bill into law while abroad — triggering a similar, though short-lived, debate about legality and authenticity.

The U.S. Department of Justice has ruled that the use of an autopen is legally permissible, provided the president authorizes it. The critical piece is intent — as long as the president approves the use of his signature for a specific document, it holds full legal weight.

So Why Is This a Big Deal Now?
Trump’s accusation isn’t really about ink on paper. It’s about perception — and perception is everything in politics.

Biden’s age and health have been topics of discussion and concern among voters for years. By casting doubt on whether he was actively involved in signing critical documents, Trump is subtly reinforcing a broader narrative: that Biden wasn’t truly “at the wheel.”

This ties into Trump’s ongoing efforts to question Biden’s cognitive ability, something he ramped up even more in light of Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis — though not without a moment of apparent compassion.

From Kind Words to Harsh Accusations
Just weeks ago, in what many viewed as an unexpected moment of civility, Trump issued a public message after news broke of Biden’s medical condition.

“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,” Trump wrote.

At the time, the message was seen as a rare pause in the partisan attacks.

But the truce didn’t last long.

Trump’s latest remarks represent a sharp return to political trench warfare, signaling that the gloves are once again off — especially as campaign season intensifies.

Biden’s Fight to Control His Legacy
For Biden, defending his decisions — and his authorship of them — isn’t just about ego. It’s about legacy.

From signing sweeping climate legislation and COVID relief bills to restoring international alliances, Biden sees his presidency as a consequential one. To suggest he was a passive figurehead rather than an active leader is, in his view, an affront to his years of public service.

And with Vice President Kamala Harris now the presumptive Democratic nominee following Biden’s 2024 withdrawal, protecting that legacy also means protecting the party’s image and credibility going forward.

What Does This Mean for 2025 and Beyond?
As both Trump and Biden remain central figures in the political conversation — one as president, the other as elder statesman and party leader — these kinds of jabs are only likely to intensify.

For Trump, continuing to discredit Biden may help galvanize support from his base, many of whom already distrust the legitimacy of Biden’s presidency.

For Biden, responding swiftly and forcefully to attacks is a way to maintain his relevance and push back against narratives that could undermine Democratic efforts in the 2026 midterms and beyond.

But perhaps more importantly, it’s a signal to the American public — and to history — that he won’t quietly let others rewrite the story of his presidency.

The Bigger Picture: When Signatures Become Symbols
It’s easy to laugh off talk of autopens as political fluff — a low-stakes argument in a high-stakes world.

But these discussions reveal something deeper: how even the smallest symbols of leadership — a signature, a speech, a stumble on a staircase — become central to the story we tell about power, presence, and performance.

Did Joe Biden use an autopen? Almost certainly, at times — like every modern president has.

But did he approve the decisions, make the calls, and own the outcomes?

According to Biden, absolutely.

And for many Americans, that’s what truly matters.