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Removing Trump's Portrait: A New Chapter in Capitol Art
DENVER (AP) — In a surprising turn of events, the portrait of President Donald Trump that has graced the halls of the Colorado state Capitol since 2019 is set to be taken down. This decision comes after Trump himself expressed dissatisfaction with the portrayal, claiming it was 'purposefully distorted.' The oil painting, which was funded through a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $10,000, was created by artist Sarah Boardman, who also painted a portrait of former President Barack Obama, sparking contrasting opinions among visitors to the Capitol.
Reactions from the Community
The decision to remove the portrait has sparked various reactions among visitors to the state Capitol. Some believe that the Trump portrait accurately reflected his features, while others echo Trump's sentiment, wishing for a different representation. For instance, one visitor commented, 'He looks like he has a little weight in his face, but otherwise, it looks pretty spot on,' while another highlighted the appeal of the Obama portrait: 'Obama is probably a better-looking man, so what the heck.'
The Process of Change
The removal of the portrait is being handled by the Legislative Council under the guidance of the Executive Committee, who have directed its storage in a secure place. Interestingly, Colorado House Democrats made it clear that the state and the GOP are responsible for the portrait's fate. 'If the GOP wants to spend time and money on which portrait of Trump hangs in the Capitol, then that's up to them,' said the Democrats in a statement.
Community Involvement and Future Prospects
Historically, Trump has engaged with his supporters through various feedback platforms, but this time, his comments seemingly surprised those involved in the portrait’s installation. Kevin Grantham, who led the campaign for its commissioning, said he never expected Trump's critique. He noted that the artist’s intention was to convey strength and respect, a sentiment echoed by many supporters. Looking forward, there may be discussions within the community about what kind of artwork would be more fitting in place of Trump's portrait. Could this prompt a new initiative to celebrate local talent through portraits or public art? Only time will tell.
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