A Denver Post article from June 26, 2025, (by Denver Post staff) reports that, after Trump blasted his 2019 painting as “purposefully distorted,” the White House donated a new, photo-based portrait of President Trump to hang — at least temporarily — in the Colorado State Capitol gallery.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Ego Meets Easel: Trump called Sarah Boardman’s original portrait “truly the worst,” claiming it warped his features like a funhouse mirror.
- Swift Swap: Without a formal vote, committee chair Lois Court green-lit the new Horabuena painting — essentially Trump’s official press photo in oil.
- Zero Risk Art: The replacement portrait is safe by design: no shadows, no surprises, just maximum “Trump, Inc.” branding.
- Temporary Trophy: Court hinted this new face-on-the-wall is only “for now,” so brace for round two of Capitol art wars.
My Take
That first portrait wasn’t art—it was a gross distortion. Trump’s instincts were spot-on: you can’t hang a caricature in a hall of presidents and call it “neutral.” This White House–approved swap is long overdue. Finally, Colorado gets a presidential portrait that captures the real deal, not someone’s interpretation of a sunken-cheek conspiracy.
What’s your take? Is all this drama much ado about nothing? Or was that first portrait a disguised backhand at 45/47?
