Trump Criticizes U.S. Portrait, Receives ‘Beautiful’ Gift from Putin Amid Diplomatic Shift
President Donald Trump has criticized an unflattering portrait of himself that hung in the Colorado State Capitol, calling it “truly the worst”, just as he received a new, private portrait from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The painting from Putin has not been made public, but is described by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff as a “beautiful portrait” by a “leading Russian artist.” Witkoff confirmed he had been tasked with delivering the artwork back to Washington, adding that Trump was “clearly touched” by the gesture.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the gift, calling it a “personal offering,” and said that only Putin could provide more details about the painting.
Image Wars: From Colorado to Moscow
The now-removed portrait that upset Trump had been on display in Colorado since 2019. Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the work, calling it “purposefully distorted” and even contrasted it with a flattering depiction of Barack Obama by the same artist, Sarah Boardman.
“It made Obama look wonderful,” Trump posted. “But mine was a disgrace.”
The image had reportedly replaced a prank portrait of Putin and was initially funded via a Republican-backed crowdfunding campaign. A bipartisan state committee voted to remove it from public view earlier this week following backlash.
Despite Trump’s outrage, Colorado officials emphasized that the portrait had no connection to Governor Jared Polis, whom Trump had labeled “radical” and “weak on crime.” The state clarified that the governor had no involvement in commissioning or displaying the image.
Portraits, Politics, and Public Perception
Art experts and fellow portraitists offered mixed views. Robert Anderson, known for painting President George W. Bush, said reactions to presidential portraits often stem more from political bias than artistic quality.
“Painting Trump would be uniquely difficult,” Anderson told the BBC. “He has a strong self-image that doesn’t align with half the country’s perception of him.”
Diplomatic Undertones: A Gift Amid Negotiations
Putin’s gift comes as U.S. and Russian officials continue diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia, part of Trump’s campaign to end the war in Ukraine. According to Witkoff, Putin had also shared that he prayed for Trump following last year’s assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, where a powerful image of a wounded but defiant Trump raising his fist went viral and later appeared on the cover of his book.
Trump’s image management has remained central to his political branding—so much so that he personally unveiled a stern, official presidential portrait earlier this year that drew wide-ranging reactions.
With the Russian gift now part of his growing personal art collection, the contrast between how Trump sees himself—and how others portray him—continues to stir headlines and symbolism
