Donald Trump has called for the immediate removal of a portrait of him displayed in the Colorado State Capitol, claiming that the artwork, painted by artist Sarah Boardman, is “unflattering” and “purposefully distorted.” The former president took to social media to express his displeasure with the portrait, demanding that Democratic Governor Jared Polis remove it from the Capitol building. Trump’s frustration with the artwork came after Boardman’s depiction of him hung alongside other presidential portraits in the state’s gallery. Despite the portrait’s public unveiling in 2019, Trump only recently made the demand for its removal, sparking an ongoing public back-and-forth between the former president and the Colorado governor.
Trump’s Criticism of the Portrait: “The Worst” He’s Ever Seen
Donald Trump has never been shy about his opinion of unflattering depictions of himself, but his recent comments regarding the portrait in the Colorado State Capitol go beyond typical criticism. In a post on TruthSocial, Trump described the painting as “purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.” He went on to claim that the portrait was the “worst” he had ever seen, noting that Boardman’s past work, including her portrayal of former President Obama, had been successful. However, he suggested that Boardman’s talent had diminished over time, and he would have preferred not to have a portrait at all rather than one he deemed offensive.
Trump’s outrage was not limited to the artist’s work but extended to Governor Jared Polis, whom he accused of allowing the portrait to hang in the Capitol. The former president voiced his dissatisfaction with Polis, whom he called “extremely weak on crime,” referencing recent issues in the state, particularly with the violent criminal organization Tren de Aragua. Trump also claimed that many people from Colorado had contacted him to express their anger over the portrait, suggesting that the public shared his view on the artwork’s unflattering nature. He called on Polis to take immediate action, further politicizing the issue by tying it to his broader critiques of the governor’s handling of crime in the state.
Trump’s post on TruthSocial and his public remarks regarding the portrait reveal his continuing sensitivity to how he is represented in the public sphere. His demand for its removal, along with his attacks on Boardman and Governor Polis, highlight the political and personal stakes he attaches to his image. The response to his social media post reflects the enduring significance of public perception and how political figures navigate their representation in the media and art.
The Artist’s Perspective: Boardman’s History and Response
The artist behind the portrait, Sarah Boardman, has been painting presidential portraits for several years, having previously completed paintings of former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Boardman’s work is generally regarded as highly professional, and her portrait of Obama, which Trump referenced in his post, was well-received. Boardman’s portrayal of Trump in the Colorado State Capitol, however, was criticized by the former president, despite the fact that it had been on display since 2019. The portrait was unveiled with fanfare in a ceremony attended by various dignitaries, staff, and donors, with Boardman herself expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the Capitol’s collection.
When the portrait was first revealed, Boardman shared her pride in the work on social media, thanking all those who attended the unveiling. She encouraged others to “remain respectful” and emphasized that the process of creating portraits was about artistry, not politics. Despite Trump’s criticisms, Boardman has yet to respond directly to the former president’s recent comments. She previously expressed how much the project meant to her, and it is clear that she views her work as a contribution to history, regardless of the political climate surrounding it.
While Trump’s comments are likely to overshadow the portrait’s artistic value, Boardman’s work remains part of the broader tradition of presidential portraiture, which includes depictions of all U.S. presidents in various forms of media. The ongoing controversy surrounding her portrayal of Trump highlights how art, even in government buildings, is never immune from political scrutiny, particularly when it involves a figure as polarizing as the former president. The portrait will continue to be part of the Capitol’s collection unless Polis acts on Trump’s demand.
The Political Back-and-Forth: Trump’s Critique of Governor Polis
The dispute over the portrait has also sparked a political back-and-forth between Donald Trump and Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis. Polis, who was elected in 2019, has had a complicated relationship with the Trump administration, at times supporting certain policies and at other times challenging the former president’s actions. In this case, Trump’s demand that Polis remove the portrait underscores the ongoing political tensions between the two figures. Trump accused Polis of being “weak on crime,” a criticism that has been a staple of his rhetoric, particularly when discussing the growing concerns around crime and gangs in Colorado, including the rise of Tren de Aragua.
Polis, however, has not yet responded directly to Trump’s portrait demands, and it remains to be seen whether he will take action. The governor has been criticized in the past for his handling of crime in the state, particularly regarding the infiltration of criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua. Trump’s comments, which invoke both local crime concerns and his ongoing feud with Polis, add an extra layer of complexity to the situation. Polis has, in the past, publicly disagreed with Trump on various issues, including immigration and law enforcement, and this disagreement over the portrait may be another point of contention.
The issue of the portrait has brought national attention to local governance in Colorado, highlighting the way public figures like Trump and Polis often use art and symbolism to reflect broader political and social issues. Whether or not the portrait is removed, the dispute underscores the continuing culture wars that define American politics and the personal stakes that political leaders place on public representations of their legacy. Trump’s demand for its removal could be seen as another maneuver in his ongoing political narrative, using every opportunity to challenge Democratic leadership and assert his own image in the public eye.
The Bigger Picture: Trump’s Legacy and the Politics of Image
Trump’s demand for the removal of his portrait in the Colorado State Capitol is part of a broader narrative about his relationship with image, representation, and legacy. Throughout his presidency and beyond, Trump has shown an intense preoccupation with how he is depicted in the media, whether it’s through news coverage, social media, or art. The controversy over the portrait reflects his ongoing sensitivity to how he is viewed by the public, especially in the context of his political rivalries.
His comments on the Colorado portrait also serve to highlight the ways in which art and public representation intersect with political power. For Trump, this issue goes beyond aesthetics—it is tied to his broader political battles and the way he is perceived in the media. The portrait, a symbol of his time in office, has become the latest battleground in the ongoing war over his legacy. Trump’s efforts to control how he is depicted underscore his broader attempts to shape the public narrative around his presidency.
As the dispute over the portrait continues to unfold, it remains a reminder of the larger forces at play in American politics—where even something as seemingly innocuous as a portrait can become a flashpoint for political conflict. Trump’s ongoing battle with his portrayal in art and the media highlights the role of image in political power, demonstrating how leaders are often defined as much by their public perception as by their policies.