Artist of Trump’s official portrait says President’s criticism is threatening her career

Trump Portrait Artist Pushes Back as Career Faces Threat After Criticism

The artist behind Donald Trump’s official portrait in the Colorado State Capitol is fighting to save her career after the former president publicly criticized her work. Sarah A. Boardman, a veteran portrait artist, claims Trump’s remarks have caused serious harm to her business and reputation.

Trump Harshly Critiques the Portrait

On March 23, Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the portrait. He called it “truly the worst” and accused Boardman of “purposefully distorting” his features. He even suggested that she had lost her artistic talent with age.

Interestingly, Trump praised her earlier painting of Barack Obama, calling it “wonderful” by comparison. This stark contrast drew even more attention to his comments.

Boardman had painted Trump’s portrait in 2019, and it had been displayed in the Capitol Rotunda in Denver until recently.

Artist Responds: “This Is Threatening My Livelihood”

Soon after Trump’s post, Boardman issued a public statement. She strongly denied the accusations and explained how his words were damaging her decades-long career.

“President Trump is entitled to his opinion,” she wrote. “However, saying I ‘purposefully distorted’ his image and questioning my abilities is hurting my business of over 41 years.”

Moreover, she emphasized that the Capitol Advisory Committee had approved every stage of the painting—from the reference photo to the final brushstrokes.

“I followed the process with full professionalism and no bias,” she added. “My goal was never to caricature or distort, but to portray.”

State Leaders Remove the Portrait

The backlash didn’t end with Trump’s post. On March 24, Colorado lawmakers announced that the portrait would be removed. By the next morning, officials had taken it down and placed it in museum storage.

The $10,000 commission had been raised by Colorado Republicans. Now, State Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen says the artwork should be replaced with one that “better reflects Trump’s appearance today.”

Even so, Boardman expressed disappointment but not surprise. “I received positive feedback for six years while the portrait was on display. Since President Trump’s comments, the tone has completely shifted,” she said.

Defending Artistic Integrity

Boardman said she felt deeply hurt—not just by the attack on her artistic ability, but by the implication that she acted dishonestly. “This goes beyond technique. It questions my character,” she said.

She stressed the importance of integrity in her field. “Clients trust me to capture not just likeness, but dignity. That trust is now at risk.”

In fact, she believes this controversy could impact how future commissions are awarded to her.

A Lifetime Dedicated to Art

Boardman’s journey began far from Colorado. Born in the UK, she traveled extensively—from Australia to the Middle East—working in the airline industry while nurturing her passion for painting.

In 1985, she began studying classical painting techniques in Germany under a master artist. She earned top student honors in 1987 and 1988, and later became an assistant in the same atelier.

Since then, she has painted portraits of Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump, as well as judges, military personnel, and other public figures. Her style is known for capturing the essence and personality of each subject.

In a 2019 interview, Boardman noted that presidential portraits always spark emotion. “There will always be anger at a president from one side or the other. It’s human nature,” she said.

Putin’s Gift: A New Trump Portrait

In a surprising twist, the White House recently received another Trump portrait—this time from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The painting, confirmed by Trump’s team, was described by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as a “personal gift.”

Furthermore, Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, called it a “beautiful portrait” painted by a “leading Russian artist.” The timing of this new portrait only intensified the debate surrounding Trump’s public image and how it should be represented.

A Message to Future Clients

Despite the recent controversy, Boardman remains committed to her art. “My record speaks for itself,” she said. “This episode, while painful, won’t define my work.”

She believes that the truth behind her efforts and professional ethics will eventually be recognized. “Those who know me, know my integrity,” she said. “I stand by this portrait and everything it represents.”