Trump Slams Colorado Capitol Portrait as ‘Distorted,’ Calls for Its Removal
Former President Donald Trump criticized the official portrait of himself hanging in the Colorado State Capitol, calling it “purposefully distorted” and “truly the worst” in a Truth Social post on Sunday. The oil painting, completed by artist Sarah Boardman and installed in 2019, was commissioned by the Colorado GOP with over $10,000 raised in donations. Boardman also painted the Capitol’s portrait of former President Barack Obama, which Trump claims looks “wonderful” in comparison.
Trump alleged that the painting makes him look unrecognizable and mocked the artist, saying she must have “lost her talent.” He blamed Colorado Governor Jared Polis for allowing the painting to remain on display, accusing him of being “extremely weak on crime,” and referenced a baseless claim about a gang taking over Aurora, Colorado. Trump concluded by demanding the portrait be taken down, claiming many Coloradans have voiced their outrage to him.
In response, Governor Polis’ office issued a lighthearted statement, noting that the President must be an “aficionado” of the State Capitol’s art and architecture, and welcomed public interest in the building. They highlighted that the Capitol features locally sourced Rose Onyx and White Yule Marble and displays portraits of former presidents and governors.
While presidential portraits can take years to be installed at the Capitol—Obama’s took more than three years despite being fully funded early in his presidency—Trump’s image has already sparked heated opinions. Some supporters have defended the portrait. At its 2019 unveiling, Colorado Springs resident Jerry Grotkier praised it, calling Trump the “Energizer Bunny we’ve all been waiting for.”
