Trump Demands Removal of 'Distorted' Portrait from Colorado State Capitol
Former President Trump criticizes his Colorado portrait, claiming it's 'purposefully distorted' and demands its removal amid public complaints.
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Get StartedThe painting is so bad that Mr. Trump says he would rather have no portrait at all, as opposed to the current one.
New York Sun·1M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.The portrait, commissioned during Trump’s first term, was paid for with a Republican-led fundraising effort and approved by Colorado Republicans before it was put on display in 2019.
Boston Herald·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.While this certainly isn’t the most flattering portrait, it seems everyone involved was actually trying to treat Trump like a normal president.
Trump Demands That Colorado Take Down His Jowly Portrait
New York Magazine·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.Trump said he would prefer no picture at all over the one that hangs in the Colorado Capitol.
Trump demands removal of his portrait in the Colorado Capitol and claims it was "distorted"
Associated Press·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The president added that he “would much prefer not having a picture than having this one.”
NBC News·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.It is unclear why Trump has taken issue with the painting six years after its official unveiling.
Trump takes to Truth Social to rage about six-year-old portrait of him hung in Colorado
USA TODAY·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.There's no indication the portrait will be replaced or removed.
Trump to Colo. Gov: Remove My 'Distorted' Portrait From Capitol
Newsmax·1M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.The painting has been hanging on the wall of Colorado’s State Capitol building since August 2019, according to reports.
Washington Examiner·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.Trump was referencing the members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, commonly called TdA, which had a presence in Aurora, Colorado last year.
Trump demands Colorado take down ‘purposefully distorted’ painting
The Hill·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.It’s not clear what specifically prompted the late night complaint about his portrait in Colorado, which was unveiled in 2019 during his first term in office.
MEDIAite·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Summary
Former President Donald Trump has called for the removal of his portrait at the Colorado State Capitol, alleging it is 'purposefully distorted.' Unveiled in 2019, the oil painting by Sarah Boardman was commissioned by state Republicans, not the Democratic Governor Jared Polis, whom Trump criticized for the artwork. Trump remarked that he’d rather have no portrait than this one, claiming Colorado residents are unhappy with it. However, he provided no evidence of such complaints. Boardman's office did not respond immediately to requests for comment, while Polis's spokesperson expressed surprise at Trump's engagement with the state's Capitol artwork.
Perspectives
Trump criticized the portrayal of himself in a painting at Colorado's State Capitol, describing it as 'purposefully distorted' and suggesting he would prefer not having a portrait at all.
He referenced the artist's previous work on President Obama's portrait, contrasting it by saying Obama 'looks wonderful' while claiming his own portrait is the worst. Additionally, he criticized Boardman by claiming she 'lost her talent as she got older.'
Trump linked his criticism of the portrait to political issues in Colorado, particularly crime and the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang, calling out Governor Jared Polis for being 'weak on crime.'
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