Former President Donald Trump has expressed his strong dissatisfaction with a portrait of him that hangs in the Colorado State Capitol. He has publicly demanded that the painting be removed, calling out the artist and the state’s Democratic governor, Jared Polis. The portrait, painted by Sarah Boardman, has been displayed in the Capitol since 2019, but it has only recently garnered attention from Trump.
Trump’s Displeasure with the Portrait
Trump, known for his confidence in his appearance, made it clear that he was not happy with the portrait. Taking to his TruthSocial platform, he voiced his displeasure, stating, “Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves.” He went on to describe the portrait as “purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.” The portrait in question has sparked a reaction from the former president, leading him to demand its removal from the Colorado State Capitol.
Criticism of the Artist
In his post, Trump took aim at the artist behind the portrait, Sarah Boardman. He noted that she had previously painted former President Barack Obama during his time in office and had done a commendable job. However, Trump was not as impressed with his own portrayal. “He looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst,” Trump remarked. He even suggested that Boardman “must have lost her talent as she got older.” Trump added that he would rather not have a portrait at all than keep the one currently hanging in the Capitol.
Public Outcry and Complaints
Trump also claimed that many people from Colorado had reached out to express their dissatisfaction with the painting. He said, “They are actually angry about it!” He further stated that he was speaking on behalf of the public when addressing Governor Polis, urging him to take the portrait down. Trump’s comments extended beyond the portrait itself, with him also criticizing Polis for his handling of crime in Colorado, specifically mentioning the Tren de Aragua gang and its impact on Aurora.
The Portrait’s History
It’s worth noting that the portrait has been hanging in the Colorado State Capitol since 2019, which was during Trump’s first term as president. The portrait was commissioned as part of the state’s ongoing tradition of displaying portraits of U.S. presidents in the Capitol. When it was first unveiled in 2019, Boardman shared the image on her professional social media pages, describing the moment as a “great day.”
Boardman, a British-born artist based in Colorado Springs, explained the intent behind her work. She described the portrait as “thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not tweeting.” Boardman’s goal was to create a portrait that would look neutral, saying, “In five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another President on the wall who is only historical background.” She added that her approach was not intended to be political, stating, “Please remain respectful – this is about portraiture, not politics.”
Governor Polis’s Response
Governor Polis’s spokesperson responded to Trump’s criticism with surprise, stating that they were unaware the former president had such an interest in the artwork displayed in the Colorado State Capitol. The spokesperson also mentioned the history of the Capitol building, which was completed in 1901 and features portraits of former U.S. presidents and governors. They emphasized the importance of preserving the state’s historical artwork while also expressing appreciation for any suggestions on how to improve the visitor experience.
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Conclusion
This latest controversy surrounding Trump and the Colorado State Capitol portrait has sparked discussion not only about the artwork itself but also about the intersection of politics and public art. While Trump has made his dissatisfaction known, it remains unclear whether the portrait will be removed or if the debate will continue. What is certain, however, is that the incident has once again brought attention to the former president and his ongoing influence in both political and cultural spheres.
Whether this will lead to further discussions about public art or how presidential portraits are treated remains to be seen. For now, it’s clear that the portrait will continue to be a topic of debate, especially as Trump continues to speak out about his displeasure with its portrayal.
