DENVER (KDVR) — President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday to disparage a portrait of himself that has hung in the Colorado Capitol since 2019.
The Colorado Republican party collected over $10,000 in donations for Trump’s portrait in 2018, which was overseen by Colorado Citizens for Culture. The oil painting was commissioned by the Colorado GOP from Sarah Boardman, who also painted the Colorado Capitol’s portrait of former President Barack Obama.
However, Trump took issue with the painting on Sunday, posting to Truth Social that his Colorado portrait “was purposefully distorted.”
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. 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. 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. 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 with respect to Tren de Aragua, which practically took over Aurora (Don’t worry, we saved it!), to take it down. Jared should be ashamed of himself!”
After making his statement, Trump went on to post a copy of his first-term presidential portrait, as well as his current presidential portrait.
People take photos of President Donald Trump’s portrait hanging in the Colorado Capitol after an unveiling ceremony Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Denver. Colorado Republicans raised more than $10,000 through a GoFundMe account to commission the portrait, which was painted by Sarah Boardman, an artist who also produced the Capitol’s portrait of President Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)
President Donald Trump’s portrait hangs in the Colorado Capitol after an unveiling ceremony Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Denver. Colorado Republicans raised more than $10,000 through a GoFundMe account to commission the portrait, which was painted by Sarah Boardman, an artist who also produced the Capitol’s portrait of President Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)
This photo released by The White House, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, is the official portrait of President Donald Trump. (White House via AP)
FOX31 reached out to the Colorado Governor’s Office and received this statement in response.
Gov. Polis was surprised to learn the President of the United States is an aficionado of our Colorado State Capitol and its artwork. 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. We appreciate the President and everyone’s interest in our capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience.”
Colorado Governor’s Office spokesperson
It’s not uncommon for presidential portraits to take some time to be installed in the Colorado Capitol: Obama’s portrait, while fully funded within the first year of his presidency, took over three years to appear inside the gallery, according to reporting from The Associated Press.
Trump supporter Jerry Grotkier spoke to The Associated Press in 2019 when Trump’s Colorado portrait was unveiled. Grotkier, then 74, drove from his home in the Colorado Springs area and said it was an honor to attend the ceremony.
“I think it does him great justice. I’ve seen unattractive portraits of him with a big, fat chin and whatever. He’s the energizer bunny that we’ve all been waiting for,” he said. “I was a Trump supporter as soon as he ran.”
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