Sarah Boardman, a British artist renowned for her portrait of Donald Trump that once adorned the Colorado State Capitol, has found herself at the mercy of the former president's recent derisive comments, which threaten to inflict long-lasting damage on her career. In a striking display of disregard, Trump condemned her work as "the worst" and accused her of deliberately distorting his likeness, igniting a wave of backlash from his base that has left Boardman grappling with the fallout.
In a social media tirade, Trump remarked, "Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves... the one on me is truly the worst," questioning Boardman's artistic integrity and suggesting she "must have lost her talent as she got older." Such disparagement prompted a hasty decision to remove the portrait—after six years of public display—storing it away and further fueling Boardman's frustrations as she witnesses the destruction of her professional reputation.
Despite having over 41 years of experience in painting and previously receiving widespread acclaim for her artwork, Boardman now faces an uphill battle against a narrative fueled by the president’s scorn. Speaking to Sky News, she voiced her dismay at how the remarks have skewed public perception and put her longstanding business at risk. “While the former president is free to express his opinions, the implications of his allegations have inflicted serious harm on my career, which may never recover,” she lamented.
The Colorado State Capitol Advisory Committee scrutinised and approved every aspect of Boardman's creation, from the initial reference photographs to the final piece, underscoring her commitment to artistic accuracy and impartiality. “My portrait was executed faithfully, free from any intent to caricature or infuse political bias. It was a genuine representation,” she asserted, pushing back against accusations that stem from a place of personal insult rather than artistic critique.
In an unrelated yet equally telling tale, Trump’s childhood home in Jamaica Estates, Queens, New York, has recently exchanged hands at a dramatically reduced price after languishing in neglect. Once on the market for $2.14 million in 2017, the property was ultimately sold for a mere £648,000, with reports pointing to the house’s dismal condition, where feral cats had reportedly made it their home, and local residents had to step in to maintain its decaying state.
Constructed by Trump’s father in 1940, the long-vacant residence is now undergoing renovations following a sale marked by the need for expedience, another glaring indicator of a legacy tarnished by neglect. Neighbors described the once-stately home as an "eyesore," revealing a community chagrined by its disrepair. One concerned local summed it up, “A beautiful house was left abandoned... we, the community, had to take care of it,” showcasing the stark contrast between the grandeur of Trump’s past and the ruins left behind.
Originally touted as an Airbnb rental capitalising on its association with the former president, the new owner now faces the daunting task of rehabilitating the once-proud property, with renovations projected to cost around £70,000. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that even a figure like Trump, once a titan of media and politics, can find himself embroiled in a legacy of decay and disappointment.
Source: Noah Wire Services