Trump Portrait to Be Removed from Colorado Capitol Following His Criticism

A portrait of former President Donald Trump, which is displayed along with other presidential portraits in the Colorado state Capitol, will be removed after Trump criticized its portrayal. The move followed the former president’s assertion that the painting was “purposefully distorted” in a post on his Truth Social platform. The painting, commissioned by Colorado Republicans in 2019, through a GoFundMe campaign, was criticized by Trump who preferred no portrait over the existing one. The painting made by artist Sarah Boardman has received mixed reactions since its unveiling.

Others had originally taken issue with its depiction of Trump as “nonconfrontational” and “thoughtful.” The controversy flared again after Trump’s remarks, prompting Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen to call for its removal. The portrait will now be replaced with one that “represents his modern-day likeness.” Democrats have been indifferent to the GOP’s participation in the issue, but have backed the removal in response to the Republican leader’s request. The painting, placed among others of U.S. presidents, had already caused some attention when a prankster had positioned a photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin instead of where Trump was meant to go. Trump’s comment on Truth Social encouraged a surge of tourists to the Capitol to snap photos with the painting before its removal. Supporters of the previous president still share conflicting opinions on the accuracy of the portrait, though.