According to the former US president, the artwork displayed at the Colorado State Capitol is “truly the worst.”
Donald Trump has demanded that his portrait be immediately taken down from the Colorado Capitol building, calling the painting “truly the worst.” This critique surfaces amid ongoing tensions between the former president and the leadership of Colorado, a state that leans Democratic.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump stated that Colorado Governor Jared Polis should “be ashamed of himself” for displaying a portrait that was “purposefully distorted to a level that” he has “never seen before.”
“I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one,” Trump wrote, adding that many Colorado residents have complained about the artwork.
The portrait, created by British-born, Colorado-based artist Sarah A. Boardman, has been on display in the Capitol since 2019, during Trump’s presidency. Boardman also painted Barack Obama’s portrait for the Colorado State Capitol, which Trump described as “wonderful.” Both portraits are based on photographs rather than live sittings.
Trump’s post also criticized Governor Polis, labeling him “Radical Left” and accusing him of being “extremely weak” on crime, specifically citing his handling of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal gang that has spread into the US. Trump claims the gang “practically took over” Aurora, Colorado, last year.
In February, the US government designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization. Earlier this month, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport nearly 300 alleged gang members to El Salvador, where they were placed in high-security detention facilities.
Governor Polis’s office responded that Polis “was surprised” to learn of the former president’s interest in the Colorado State Capitol and its artwork. The statement, which has been reported by numerous media outlets, also mentioned that the state government is “always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience.” However, the statement did not clarify whether the portrait would be removed.
Colorado has voted for Democratic candidates in the past five presidential elections, including Kamala Harris in 2024.
Trump’s policies concerning education, healthcare, immigration, and gun safety have faced opposition in Colorado at the state level. Attorney General Phil Weiser has filed multiple lawsuits against these policies.