The professional career of artist Sarah Boardman hangs in the balance following President Donald Trump’s public criticism of her portrait displayed in the Colorado Capitol. The controversy has drawn significant attention, with some tourists rushing to view the painting before its removal while others debate whether the portrait fairly represents the president. Could Boardman have anticipated this reaction when creating the portrait six years ago?
Trump’s Criticism Sparks Portrait Removal
A portrait of President Donald Trump that hung in the Colorado Capitol for six years has been removed after Trump himself condemned it on social media. The painting, created by artist Sarah Boardman, became the center of a political storm when Trump called it “purposefully distorted” and “truly the worst” on his Truth Social platform.
Trump also praised a nearby portrait of former President Barack Obama while suggesting he would prefer having no portrait displayed rather than keeping Boardman’s work. His criticism extended to Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis, writing, “Jared should be ashamed of himself!” for allowing the portrait to be displayed.
🚨MEAN TWEETS: The Artist who painted the ugly portrait of President Trump in the Colorado Capitol claims that his comments have "destroyed" her business.
Who wants to take bets on how long before she files a lawsuit?
I give it a week.
— Walter Curt (@WCdispatch_) April 6, 2025
Artist Defends Work as Career-Threatened
Boardman has expressed concern that her 41-year career may now be in jeopardy following the president’s public criticism. She maintains that she completed the portrait accurately and without political bias, noting that the painting had received positive feedback until Trump’s comments changed public perception.
The portrait was commissioned by Colorado Republicans in 2019, who raised more than $10,000 for its creation. Following Trump’s complaint, state lawmakers agreed to remove the painting from public display at the request of local Republican leaders.
Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, 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. The artist also did President Obama,… pic.twitter.com/NIUxU4Ybu8
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 24, 2025
Public Reaction and Political Response
The controversy has drawn numerous visitors to the Capitol, with tourists seeking to view the disputed portrait before its removal. One Trump supporter who viewed the painting commented that while it made the president look “a little chubby,” they acknowledged it was better than what they could create themselves.
Colorado Democrats, who control the state legislature, agreed to comply with Republicans’ request to take down the portrait despite having the authority to keep it in place. The painting has since been placed in storage, with no immediate plans announced for a replacement or alternative display.
The incident demonstrates how political portraits, traditionally meant to honor public service regardless of party affiliation, can become flashpoints in today’s polarized environment. Boardman now faces the difficult task of preserving her artistic reputation while her most high-profile work has been publicly rejected by its subject.