Trump Demands Removal of ‘Unflattering’ Portrait from Colorado Capitol

DENVER, Colo. — President Donald Trump is demanding that Colorado Governor Jared Polis remove a controversial portrait of him from the state capitol, describing it as ‘purposefully distorted.’

In a post on Truth Social late Sunday night, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the painting, saying, ‘Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor… was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.’

The portrait, painted by artist Sarah Boardman, was unveiled in August 2019 and hangs alongside other presidential portraits. Trump contrasted his portrayal with Boardman’s work of former President Barack Obama, stating, ‘He looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst. She must have lost her talent as she got older.’

Trump added, ‘In any event, I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one,’ claiming that ‘many people from Colorado have called and written to complain’ about the artwork.

The President’s comments mark a significant escalation of his ongoing critique of Polis, who he referred to as the ‘Radical Left Governor.’ Trump specifically criticized Polis’s handling of crime, notably mentioning the gang Tren de Aragua, saying, ‘Jared should be ashamed of himself.’

Polis, the first openly gay governor in U.S. history, has been a vocal critic of Trump in the past, particularly regarding immigration policies. The contentious relationship deepened last week when Polis spoke out against the detention of Jeanette Vizguerra, a Colorado resident facing deportation. Polis remarked, ‘Jeanette is a mother and grandmother, has spent decades in our country, helping the community, has a job, has no history of violence, is not a threat to the community, and above all else, deserves due process pursuant to the law.’

While the painting has been a point of contention, its commissioning was born out of a unique history. In 2018, a prankster hung a portrait of Vladimir Putin in the empty space where Trump’s portrait was meant to go, igniting a crowdfunding campaign for a Trump painting that ultimately raised $10,000.

As responses to Trump’s call for the portrait’s removal unfold, the state continues to grapple with issues related to crime and immigration policies. This incident underscores the ongoing political divide that persists not only within Colorado but across the nation.

Boardman has not yet publicly responded to Trump’s remarks regarding her artwork.