Former President Donald Trump is not pleased with a painting of himself that is on display in Denver, Colorado. In a scathing assessment, he blamed the state’s governor for its ongoing exhibit and negatively likened it to the one made for former President Barack Obama.
Donald Trump posted a picture of his photograph hanging at the Colorado State Capitol on Truth Social on March 24, 2025. He publicly expressed his desire for the painting to be taken down, making it obvious that he didn’t like it.
Trump, wearing a dark suit, crimson tie, and white shirt, was seen in the picture looking solemn. “Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves,” he wrote as a comment on the site.
The painting and those of prior presidents were installed in a way that Trump said was “purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before,” according to state governor Jared Polis.
He praised Obama’s image while calling his own “truly the worst,” saying the artist had “lost her talent as she got older.” He acknowledged the same artist who painted Obama’s portrait.
He made it apparent how strongly he felt when he said that many Coloradoans had complained about the current portrait and that he would prefer not to have one. “They are truly upset about it,” he underlined.
Although he placed the blame on the governor, the Colorado Republicans really commissioned the painting. It was made by artist Sarah A. Boardman after former Senate President Kevin J. Grantham collected $10,884 through a GoFundMe campaign. Under Grantham’s direction, the unveiling was held on August 1, 2019, at a public event at the state capitol.
Grantham said, “Whether it makes you smile or frown, it is a representation of America’s freedom,” prior to the portrait’s release. The painting is presently displayed in the Rotunda in spite of Trump’s objections. Governor Polis took notice of the commotion and responded.
The governor was taken aback to discover Trump’s fascination with the Colorado State Capitol and its artwork, according to a Polis official the same day.
By describing the materials used in its construction and the variety of presidential and gubernatorial portraits it contains, they highlighted the Capitol’s historic status. The message added, “We are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience and appreciate the President and everyone’s interest in our capitol building.”
Facebook photos from the unveiling of the portrait showed the official ceremony, remarks, and Trump’s picture hanging next to former presidents Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.
Online responses have been conflicting, with some stating that “They did him dirty” and others concurring that “He’s right.” That doesn’t resemble him at all. Some defended the photo, saying it shows Trump as younger than he actually is.
Divergent are the netizens. Some critics believe the portrait is unjust, but others believe it is an impartial, truthful portrayal that will endure. Artist Boardman herself stated that she had taken care to present Trump in an impartial manner, understanding that the image will only be a part of history in the years to come.
A behavioral specialist, meanwhile, examined a different instance in which Trump was accidentally struck in the face by a microphone at a press conference in March 2025.
Expert Darren Stanton examined Trump’s facial expressions throughout the incident and noted a distinct exhibit of astonishment and rage as it happened. This episode highlighted Trump’s characterization as arrogant and impulsive, traits frequently seen in his interactions.
All things considered, the praise and criticism for Trump’s Colorado image reflect the continued polarization of public opinion. By sparking debates about art, representation, and freedom of speech, the portrait itself has come to represent the larger political environment.
Donald Trump remains a well-known and divisive character, whose every move or response may elicit both praise and criticism in the public eye, from this image to microphone accidents.
Trump’s influence is still felt both at home and abroad thanks to his numerous public appearances and his obvious interactions with other leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron.
