Donald Trump is demanding that his portrait be taken down from the Colorado State Capitol. He called the artwork “unflattering” and said it is distorted. The portrait was painted by Sarah Boardman, an artist who also painted former President Obama’s portrait. Trump said the painting in Colorado does not look like him at all and is the worst portrait of him he has ever seen.
Trump posted on TruthSocial about the portrait. He said, “Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves.” He claimed that the artist purposely distorted his image. Trump also mentioned that Boardman’s earlier work, like the portrait of Obama, looked great, but the one of him did not.
The Artist’s Past Work
Sarah Boardman is not new to painting portraits of presidents. She also painted George W. Bush’s portrait in 2012. When Boardman unveiled the portrait of Trump in 2019, she shared it proudly on her social media. She thanked all the people who attended the unveiling and expressed her gratitude for the positive experience.
However, Trump didn’t feel the same way about her work. He criticized Boardman for creating a portrait that didn’t look like him. He even suggested that she lost her talent over time. Trump said he would rather not have a portrait at all than have the one Boardman painted of him.
Trump Speaks for Colorado Residents
Trump said that many people from Colorado had reached out to him. They were angry about the portrait and wanted it taken down. Trump claimed to be speaking on their behalf, saying that the people of Colorado were upset about the image hanging in the Capitol. He demanded that Governor Jared Polis take action and remove the portrait.
Trump didn’t just focus on the painting. He also criticized Polis for being “weak on crime.” He mentioned the crime group Tren de Aragua, which has been active in Aurora, Colorado. Trump claimed that this group had taken over the city but assured his followers that the situation was under control.
Polis and Trump: A Complicated Relationship
Governor Jared Polis has a history of working with Trump. In some cases, he supported Trump’s policies, like the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy as Health Secretary. Polis has also suggested that saving money by getting rid of pennies could help the government. These actions showed that Polis was willing to cooperate with Trump when he thought it was necessary.
However, in other situations, Polis has disagreed with Trump, especially on immigration policies. Recently, Polis spoke out against Trump’s decision to detain Jeanette Vizguerra, a Colorado woman who has lived in the U.S. for many years. This disagreement may have led to the tension between the two.
Crime in Colorado and the Arrival of Tren de Aragua
Colorado has been struggling with rising crime, especially because of the presence of Tren de Aragua, a criminal group. This group has been linked to various criminal activities, such as kidnapping, extortion, and organized crime. In February, the Trump administration labeled Tren de Aragua as a global terrorist organization.
Trump’s administration took action against the group by deporting suspected gang members to El Salvador. He used a law from 1798 to send over 200 suspected members to a notorious prison in El Salvador. This prison is known for its tough conditions, where the inmates spend 23 and a half hours locked in their cells every day.
Trump Defends His Actions
Trump strongly defended his actions to deal with the gang problem. He said that the U.S. was facing an “invasion” from criminal groups like Tren de Aragua. Trump argued that these groups were being directed by the Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro. He believed that the U.S. needed to take strong action to protect its citizens from these threats.
In Trump’s view, the U.S. was in the middle of a battle against foreign criminals. He said that deporting gang members to El Salvador was necessary to protect American communities. Trump’s use of the 1798 law allowed him to take action without needing Congress’s approval.
What’s Next for the Portrait?
The portrait of Trump in the Colorado Capitol remains a point of contention. While it’s unclear if it will be taken down, Trump’s demand has brought attention to the issue. This situation also reflects larger political disagreements, especially about crime and immigration policies.
Trump’s attack on the portrait is a small issue compared to other political matters, but it shows how personal feelings and public images can create tension. Whether or not Polis will remove the portrait is still unknown. However, the demand for its removal is just another example of how Trump is not afraid to speak out when something does not meet his approval.
