Removal Triggered by Trump:: The portrait's removal was initiated after Donald Trump publicly stated his dislike for the painting on his Truth Social platform, calling it 'purposefully distorted' and 'truly the worst.'
Artist and Comparison:: The artist, Sarah Boardman, also painted the portrait of former President Barack Obama displayed nearby, which Trump praised as looking 'wonderful.' Boardman aimed for apolitical depictions in both portraits.
Republican Action:: Colorado Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen requested the removal, supported by other Republican leaders. The General Assembly's executive committee, including Democrats and Republicans, directed the removal.
Funding Background:: The portrait was commissioned in 2018 using over $10,000 raised by Republicans via GoFundMe, led by then-State Senate President Kevin Grantham, after initial funding efforts failed.
Why this matters:: This incident highlights the influence of political figures on public art displays and the intersection of personal opinion, political representation, and artistic interpretation.
The portrait of Donald Trump, unveiled in the Colorado State Capitol's Gallery of Presidents in August 2019, faced controversy from the start, though initial objections focused on its perceived 'nonconfrontational' style. The recent removal stems directly from Trump's own critique posted on March 24, 2025.
Artist Sarah Boardman, who was chosen to paint both Trump and Obama after the previous artist passed away, had stated her intention was to create neutral, apolitical representations. Ironically, Trump praised her portrait of Obama while condemning his own.
The funding for Trump's portrait itself had a contentious history. After more than a year into his first term with no donations secured for the painting, and following an incident where a prankster briefly placed a picture of Vladimir Putin in the designated spot, Republican State Senator Kevin Grantham spearheaded a successful online fundraising campaign.
Following Trump's social media post, Colorado Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen formally requested the portrait be taken down, aiming to replace it with one reflecting Trump's 'contemporary likeness.' The bipartisan executive committee of the legislature approved the removal, and the painting was taken down and placed in storage. Visitors flocked to see the portrait after Trump's comments and before its removal, offering mixed opinions on the likeness.
The situation underscores the unique circumstances surrounding presidential portraits in state capitols, which are often funded privately and subject to the opinions of the subjects themselves, political parties, and the public.
Why was Trump's portrait removed from the Colorado Capitol?
It was removed after President Trump publicly criticized it as 'purposefully distorted,' prompting state Republican leaders to request its removal.
Who painted the portrait?
Sarah Boardman, a Colorado Springs artist, painted the portrait. She also painted the adjacent portrait of Barack Obama.
What will happen to the portrait now?
The portrait has been placed in secure storage. Republican leaders have indicated a desire to commission a new portrait.
Publicly displayed art, especially of political figures, can be highly subjective and spark debate.
The opinions of prominent figures can directly influence decisions regarding their public representations.
The process for commissioning and displaying official portraits can involve various stakeholders, including political parties and private fundraising efforts.
Do you think a public figure's opinion should determine if their portrait is displayed? Let us know!
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Source 1: AP News via NYT
Source 2: The Denver Post
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