DENVER, Colorado — A portrait of former President Donald Trump has been removed from the Colorado State Capitol following his claim that the painting was “purposefully distorted.”
The portrait had been on display for several years before being taken down at Trump’s request.
The portrait, commissioned by Colorado’s Republican legislators and painted by local artist Sarah A. Boardman, was unveiled in 2019.
It had been displayed alongside other presidential portraits in the Capitol until Trump publicly criticized it on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling it “distorted.”
In response to Trump’s criticism, Colorado House Democrats confirmed the removal of the painting, stating that they were acting on the former president’s expressed wishes.
Trump had stated that he would prefer no portrait at all rather than one that he felt misrepresented him.
Colorado state officials clarified that the removal was not due to any formal policy but rather a response to the expressed dissatisfaction of the portrait’s subject. The oil painting will be stored until further notice.
Artist Sarah A. Boardman, known for her realistic portrayals of prominent figures, including former President Barack Obama, has not publicly commented on the situation.
