Who Is Sarah Boardman? Artist Attacked by Donald Trump Over 'Bad Picture'

Newsweek - Mar 24th, 2025

Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized a portrait of himself painted by artist Sarah Boardman, which is currently displayed in Colorado's State Capitol. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction on Truth Social, labeling the painting 'bad' and 'purposefully distorted.' He contrasted it with Boardman's portrait of President Obama, which he claimed was much better. Colorado's Governor Jared Polis expressed surprise at Trump's remarks and noted the state's openness to improving the visitor experience. Boardman, a British-born artist, has not yet responded to Trump's comments.

Boardman is known for her classical portrait style, having painted several presidential portraits, including that of President Obama. She was selected for painting presidential portraits following the passing of Lawrence Williams, who had painted all previous presidential portraits for the State Capitol. Boardman maintains that her artistic focus is on capturing the essence of her subjects without personal bias. The situation raises questions about artistic interpretation and political sensitivities, highlighting the challenges artists face in representing figures with contentious public personas. The state has not indicated whether it will remove the portrait, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Donald Trump Political Controversy Sarah Boardman Jared Polis Colorado State Capitol Presidential Portraits Artistic Interpretation

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RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded overview of the controversy surrounding Donald Trump's portrait by Sarah Boardman, with a strong focus on factual accuracy and clarity. It effectively covers the main viewpoints involved, including Trump's criticism and Boardman's artistic background. However, it could benefit from additional perspectives, such as those of art critics, to provide a more balanced view of the portrait's quality. The story is timely and engages with broader cultural debates about political representation in art. Overall, it is a clear and engaging piece that captures public interest while maintaining journalistic integrity.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the main claims, such as Trump's criticism of the portrait by Sarah Boardman and the artist's background. It mentions Trump's statement on Truth Social and Boardman's previous work, which aligns with the known facts. However, the claim that the portrait was 'purposefully distorted' is subjective and lacks independent verification. The story could benefit from expert opinions on the artistic quality of the portrait to substantiate or refute Trump's assertion. The article correctly identifies the funding source for the portrait and Governor Polis's reaction, which are supported by other sources.

Balance

The article presents multiple viewpoints, including Trump's criticism, Boardman's perspective on her artistic process, and Governor Polis's response. However, it leans slightly toward Trump's perspective by emphasizing his negative comments without providing a counterbalance from art critics or other observers who might defend the painting's quality. Including more perspectives from art experts or public opinion could offer a more rounded view.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main points of the story. It uses straightforward language and provides sufficient context for readers unfamiliar with the situation. The structure helps maintain focus on the key issues, such as the controversy over the portrait and the reactions from involved parties.

Source quality

The story relies on statements from public figures like Donald Trump and Governor Jared Polis, which are credible sources for their respective viewpoints. However, it lacks diversity in sourcing, as it does not include input from art critics or other independent experts who could provide additional context or verification of the claims about the portrait's quality.

Transparency

The article is transparent in its reporting of Trump's comments and Boardman's background, citing her website for biographical details. It also mentions that Newsweek has contacted Boardman for comment, showing an effort to provide her perspective. However, the methodology behind Trump's claims or any potential biases in his statement are not explored, leaving some transparency gaps regarding the basis of his critique.