Trump’s portrait to be removed from Colorado Capitol after his criticism 

Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Republican, requested its removal, saying it should be replaced with one that represents Trump’s “contemporary likeness.” House Democrats responded, saying, “If the GOP wants to spend time and money on which portrait of Trump hangs in the Capitol, that’s up to them.”

Before the portrait was installed, a prankster had placed a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the intended spot. The painting, created by artist Sarah Boardman, was initially criticised for depicting Trump as “nonconfrontational” and “thoughtful,” according to the Colorado Times Recorder.

On Sunday, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, saying he would rather not have a portrait at all than the one currently displayed. He also complimented a nearby portrait of former President Barack Obama, also painted by Boardman, saying “he looks wonderful.”

“Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves,” Trump wrote. “But the one in Colorado, in the state Capitol, put up by the governor, along with all other presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.”

However, the portraits are overseen not by the governor’s office but by the Colorado Building Advisory Committee. Older portraits, up to President Jimmy Carter, were donated as a collection, while more recent ones have been funded privately or by political parties.

The decision to remove Trump’s portrait was signed by the Legislature’s executive committee, which includes both Democratic and Republican leaders.

Lundeen pointed out that former President Grover Cleveland, who served two non-consecutive terms like Trump, has a portrait from his second term.

Boardman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AP. However, in a 2019 interview with the Colorado Times Recorder, she explained her aim was to create neutral and non-political portraits. “There will always be dissent,” she said at the time. “A neutrally thoughtful, nonconfrontational portrait allows everyone to reach their own conclusions.”

Following Trump’s comments, visitors began gathering at the Capitol to take photos with the portrait. Aaron Howe, a visitor from Wyoming who voted for Trump, studied the painting and compared it to images on his phone. “Honestly, he looks a little chubby,” he said, adding, “but better than I could do.”

Kaylee Williamson, an 18-year-old Trump supporter from Arkansas, also posed for a photo. “I think it looks like him,” she said. “I guess he’s smoother than all the other ones. I think it’s fine.”