President Donald Trump is unleashing criticism over his official portrait displayed in the Colorado State Capitol, calling it “purposefully distorted” and demanding its removal. In a post made Sunday on Truth Social, Trump accuses Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis of overseeing what he calls a “disgraceful” depiction and claims the governor “should be ashamed of himself.” However, in a twist, it was actually Colorado Republicans who initiated and funded the portrait’s installation.
The portrait in question, a painted likeness of Trump that has hung in the rotunda of the State Capitol since August 2019, was part of a long-standing tradition of honoring every U.S. president with a commemorative painting. The effort to commission and install Trump’s portrait began shortly after his election and was led not by Democrats, but by then-Republican State Senator Kevin Grantham. Grantham launched a GoFundMe campaign in 2018, quickly raising the required $10,000 for the project in a matter of hours. The campaign was promoted as a nonpartisan continuation of historical recognition.
Despite this, Trump’s online tirade paints a different narrative. “The portrait in Colorado is an insult, and clearly done with malicious intent,” Trump writes. “Governor Polis should take it down immediately. Shameful!” His comments have reignited political tensions and drawn a flurry of responses from both parties.
Governor Jared Polis’s office responded by pointing out that the state does not control the artistic interpretation of presidential portraits, nor did the governor play any role in the painting’s commissioning, selection, or placement. “This portrait was organized and funded entirely by a bipartisan coalition, and we respect the tradition of displaying all presidents in the State Capitol,” said a spokesperson for Polis.
The artist behind the painting, Sarah Boardman, is a Colorado-based portraitist with a long history of official and military commissions. Boardman was chosen based on her prior work, including the official portrait of President Barack Obama for the same hall. At the time of the Trump portrait’s unveiling in 2019, Boardman said she aimed for a dignified and realistic representation based on photographic references. The painting features Trump in a dark suit with a red tie, posed against a plain background, with no overt symbols or embellishments — a format consistent with other presidential portraits in the Capitol.
Critics of Trump’s reaction say the portrait is neutral and professional. Art historians note that the painting follows the established style of previous presidential artworks displayed in the building, suggesting the former president’s objections are more political than aesthetic.
Still, Trump’s remarks have gone viral, mobilizing both supporters and detractors online. Some MAGA supporters are now calling for the portrait to be removed or replaced, while others are demanding that Republican lawmakers in Colorado denounce the painting they once helped bring to life. Meanwhile, state officials confirm there are no plans to alter or remove the portrait.
Senator Kevin Grantham, the original Republican sponsor of the project, defended the portrait and the artist. “This was never about partisan politics — it was about honoring tradition. I believe the portrait is respectful and appropriate,” Grantham says. “It’s unfortunate that the president is now attacking something his own supporters worked hard to achieve.”
The controversy adds to a pattern of Trump publicly criticizing artistic portrayals that do not align with his self-image. During his presidency and post-presidency, he has objected to various depictions in media, art, and even postage stamps. This latest clash over his portrait is emblematic of his broader battles over image, loyalty, and legacy.
The painting remains on display in the third-floor rotunda of the Colorado State Capitol alongside portraits of other U.S. presidents. For now, state leaders have indicated no change will be made, and the portrait will stay in place as part of the historical record.
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