Artist of portrait that upset Trump is heartbroken, saying her business may never recover after he accused her of ‘purposefully distorting’ it.
The portrait that wounded trump’s pride may ruin artist’s 41-year career
British portrait artist Sarah Boardman is speaking out after former President Donald Trump publicly criticized her painting of him. She says the attack has devastated her business and reputation.
Boardman’s portrait of Trump had hung in the Colorado State Capitol for six years without issue.
But recently, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to slam the artwork.
The US president accused the artist of making him look “purposefully distorted.”
In contrast, he praised her earlier painting of Barack Obama, saying, “He looks wonderful. But the one of me is truly the worst.”
Trump’s comments quickly ignited controversy.
Then Boardman—who has painted presidents for decades—says the backlash has placed her 41-year career in jeopardy.
Trump accuses artist of bias in presidential portrait
The portrait at the center of the firestorm was commissioned through a crowdfunded campaign from Trump supporters and was unveiled in 2019.
At the time, it was described as “thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not tweeting.”
Boardman explained that it was a neutral portrayal meant to reflect Trump’s role in history.
But following Trump’s return to political life, his view of the portrait changed dramatically.
Trump accused of the portrait of being ‘purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before’.
‘Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves’, he wrote on social media.
Trump also accuses artist of bias in presidential portrait,
He wrote on hisTruth Social platform, saying ‘The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst. She must have lost her talent as she got older.
Additionally, he also claimed many Coloradans had reached out to him to complain about the artwork.
He wrote: ‘In any event, I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one, but many people from Colorado have called and written to complain.’
Boardman defends her work and denies political distortion
In a statement released on her website, Boardman rejected claims that the portrait was biased or distorted.
She said she followed a careful and professional process.
Additionally, Boardman also used reference photographs and submitting her work-in-progress to the Colorado State Capitol Advisory Committee for review.
“I completed the portrait accurately, without “purposeful distortion,” political bias, or any attempt to caricature the subject, actual or implied.” She said, ‘I fulfilled the task per my contract.’
While. she acknowledged that Trump is entitled to voice his opinion but said his specific accusations have had serious real-world consequences.
“For the six years the portrait hung in place, I received overwhelmingly positive reviews and feedback,” Boardman noted. “Since President Trump’s comments, that has changed for the worst.”
Boardman says controversy threatens her long-standing business
The fallout has been severe. Boardman says she has been inundated with messages, many of them critical.
Additionally, she fears her reputation as a respected portrait artist may never fully recover.
“The additional allegations that I ‘purposefully distorted’ the portrait, and that I ‘must have lost my talent’ are now directly and negatively impacting my business of over 41 years,” she said. “It is in danger of not recovering.”
Boardman has declined further interviews.
In short, she stated that her website response will be her only public comment on the matter.