In March 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly demanded the removal of his portrait from the Colorado State Capitol, criticizing the artwork as “purposefully distorted” and expressing dissatisfaction with its depiction. This request led to the portrait’s removal, marking a notable intersection of art, politics, and public perception.
Background of the Portrait
The portrait in question was painted by artist Sarah A. Boardman and unveiled in 2019. It was commissioned through a GoFundMe campaign initiated by former Colorado Senate President Kevin J. Grantham, which raised over $10,000 for its creation. Boardman, known for her neutral and apolitical representations, had previously painted portraits of other presidents, including Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Her intention was to create a portrayal that would stand the test of time without political bias. citeturn0news12
Trump’s Criticism and Public Reaction
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump criticized the portrait, stating that it was “purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.” He compared it unfavorably to Boardman’s portrait of Obama, suggesting that the artist “must have lost her talent as she got older.” Trump further claimed that many Colorado residents were angered by the portrait and called upon Governor Jared Polis to have it removed. citeturn0search3
Response and Removal of the Portrait
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