President Trump demanded the removal of a distorted portrait, claiming it misrepresents his appearance and does not reflect reality.
President Donald Trump has publicly criticized a portrait of himself hanging in the Colorado Capitol.
He describes the artwork as “purposefully distorted” and has called for its removal.
The portrait, created by artist Sarah Boardman, has been displayed in the Capitol since 2019.
President Trump demands removal of unflattering portrait depicting him in Colorado State Capitol Building
The controversial portrait is located in the third-floor rotunda of the Colorado Capitol. It hangs alongside other portraits of U.S. presidents.
A former Colorado Senate president, Kevin Grantham, raised funds to commission the artwork.
Boardman also known for painting Barack Obama’s portrait, which Trump compared to his own.
Trump expressed his frustration about the portrait on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He claimed the depiction of him is not only unflattering but also a deliberate attempt to make him look bad.
“Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before,” he wrote.
“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,” he said.
Reaction and complaints of President Trump
In his social media post, Trump claimed that many people from Colorado have reached out to him.
He said they upset about how he was represented in the portrait. He expressed a preference for not having a picture at all instead of having this “distorted” version.
Trump also took the opportunity to criticize Colorado’s current governor, Jared Polis, saying he should be ashamed for allowing the portrait to stay.
“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,” he said.
“In fact, they are actually angry about it! I am speaking on their behalf to the Radical Left Governor, Jared Polis, who is extremely weak on Crime, in particular concerning Tren de Aragua, which practically took over Aurora (Don’t worry, we saved it!), to take it down,” he wrote.
“Jared should be ashamed of himself!” he concluded.
The artist aimed to create a neutral representation.
Sarah Boardman, the artist behind the portrait, aimed to keep the representations of the presidents neutral.
In her previous comments, she stated that future generations would see Trump as just another president in the gallery.
She believed that her work should not lean toward any political bias. However, Trump’s reaction suggests he feels the portrayal does not meet that standard.
“In today’s environment it’s all very upfront, but in another five, 10, 15 years he will be another president on the wall,” she said. “And he needs to look neutral.”
Governor Polis reacted with humor to Trump’s criticism.
Governor Jared Polis responded to Trump’s outburst with a light-hearted jab.
The former president’s interest in the artwork within the Colorado State Capitol surprised his office.
A spokesperson mentioned that the Capitol features important historical artwork and architecture, completed in 1901, showcasing the state’s unique marble.
Polis’s team highlighted that the Capitol is a place for all citizens to enjoy and appreciate historical pieces.
They welcomed any interest in the building and its art, suggesting that the state might look for ways to improve the visitor experience.
“The State Capitol was completed in 1901, and features Rose Onyx and White Yule Marble mined in Colorado, and includes portraits of former Presidents and former governors,” he continued.
“We appreciate the President and everyone’s interest in our capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience,” he added.