Donald Trump has taken to social media to slam a portrait of himself that hangs in the Colorado State Capitol, calling it an unflattering and distorted image.
The former president expressed his displeasure over the artwork, demanding that it be removed by Governor Jared Polis of Colorado, who he labeled a “Radical Left” Democrat.
A Portrait That Missed the Mark
Trump posted on TruthSocial on Sunday night, saying, “Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado… was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.”
He went on to claim that the artist, Sarah Boardman, who previously painted Barack Obama during his presidency, seemed to have “lost her talent as she got older.”
“Obama looks wonderful,” Trump wrote, but he didn’t hold back when critiquing his own portrait. “The one of me is truly the worst,” he added.
He said he would prefer no portrait at all over having such an image of himself hanging in the Capitol.
Complaints Flood in from Colorado
According to Trump, many Coloradans have reached out to him, expressing their anger about the unflattering portrait.
He claimed that these locals are furious about the artwork, and he stated that he was speaking on their behalf in his social media post.
Trump didn’t stop there—he also criticized Governor Polis, calling him “weak on crime,” particularly with regard to Tren de Aragua, a criminal group that has been wreaking havoc in Aurora, Colorado.
“Jared should be ashamed of himself,” Trump remarked, accusing the governor of failing to address the crime issues in the state.
The Portrait’s History and Background
The controversial portrait was unveiled back in 2019, during Trump’s first term in office, making it somewhat puzzling why he decided to bring up the painting now.
The artwork by Sarah Boardman was initially revealed at the Colorado State Capitol, where it was added to the Gallery of Presidents, alongside portraits of other U.S. presidents.
Boardman, who also painted George W. Bush’s portrait in 2012, was proud of her work.
When the portrait was first unveiled, she posted on her Facebook page, sharing how wonderful the event had been.
She expressed gratitude toward all the dignitaries, staff, donors, and visitors who attended the unveiling.
Trump’s Claims About Crime and Policy
In his post, Trump also referenced the ongoing issues with crime in Colorado, pointing to the arrival of Tren de Aragua, a notorious criminal group.
The Trump administration had previously designated Tren de Aragua and several other criminal organizations as global terrorist entities in an effort to curb their influence in the U.S.
Not long ago, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport over 200 suspected gang members from the U.S. back to El Salvador, where they were sent to one of the country’s most infamous prisons.
Trump justified the use of this act, claiming the gang was conducting “irregular warfare” against the U.S.
This law, which has only been used a handful of times throughout U.S. history, was last invoked during World War II for the mass internment of civilians, and Trump argues its use is justified in tackling the criminal threat.
Is There a Deeper Issue at Play?
While Trump’s reaction to the portrait might seem like a simple complaint about artwork, it also taps into a larger narrative about his ongoing clash with the current administration and his critics.
As Governor Polis and other Democrats continue to face backlash for their handling of crime and immigration issues, Trump’s comments reflect the polarizing nature of his political presence.
As of now, the portrait remains on display, and it’s unclear whether the Governor will address Trump’s demands or take any action to remove it.
The controversy surrounding the painting is likely to continue making headlines, with more developments expected.