Trump Demands Removal of His Portrait from Colorado Capitol, Calls It "Purposefully Distorted"
Donald Trump has demanded the removal of his portrait from Colorado’s State Capitol, claiming it is “purposefully distorted” and unflattering. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, “Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado … was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.” The portrait, painted by Sarah Boardman and displayed since 2019, was commissioned by a Republican-led effort and based on an approved reference photo.
Trump compared his portrait to Boardman’s painting of Barack Obama, which he said looks “wonderful,” adding, “She must have lost her talent as she got older.” He also claimed that many Colorado residents had contacted him to express their anger over the painting. In response, Governor Jared Polis's office issued a statement, noting that the State Capitol houses portraits of former presidents and governors and that they “appreciate the president and everyone’s interest” in the building’s artwork.
Despite Trump’s outrage, the portrait follows the Capitol’s tradition of presenting presidents in a neutral manner. Boardman previously stated that her goal was to depict Trump with a “serious, non-confrontational, thoughtful” expression. While Trump is insisting that the painting should be taken down, it remains unclear if any action will be taken.
