In a twist that reflects the ongoing tumult of American political life, former President Donald Trump reportedly wishes to keep his official portrait from his first term hidden from the public eye. The painting, created by the late Ronald Sherr, has never graced the walls of a gallery, as Trump now desires a new representation of his presidency before he potentially leaves office in 2029.
A Portrait Unseen
Commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery shortly after Trump concluded his first term in January 2021, the portrait remains shrouded in obscurity. Typically, presidential portraits are displayed in the gallery, but Trump’s announcement in 2022 of his 2024 presidential run has complicated matters. According to a recent report by The New York Times, the former president believes that the existing portrait is merely a relic of his first term, preferring to commission a new work that encapsulates both his past and future in office.
The portrait in question is said to depict Trump at a rally, with the White House looming in the backdrop—an image that, for many, encapsulates his brash political style. Yet it appears that he is reluctant to acknowledge this version of his legacy publicly.
The Gallery’s Response
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle indicated to the Times that Trump appreciated Sherr’s work and is looking forward to a new portrait that would reflect his tenure across two presidential terms. However, the National Portrait Gallery claims to be unaware of any requests for a subsequent piece, raising questions about the future of Trump’s legacy in art.
Lois Sherr, widow of the artist, shared that her late husband had been told by Trump that he held the portrait in high regard. “What sets this portrait by Ron apart is that he captured Trump’s movement, energy and feeling of absolute resolve,” she recounted, suggesting a certain tension between the artist’s intentions and the former president’s current sentiments.
A Pattern of Discontent
Trump’s aversion to unsatisfactory portrayals is not a new phenomenon. He has often taken to his social media platform, Truth Social, to voice displeasure over images that do not meet his standards. In October 2025, he lamented about an unflattering photograph featured on the cover of Time Magazine, which he condemned as “the Worst of All Time.” His social media rants have also targeted artworks displayed in public spaces, such as a painting in the Colorado state capitol that he described as “distorted” and “the worst.”
His critiques of visual representations extend beyond mere vanity; they strike at the heart of how he wishes to be remembered. In a political landscape rife with competing narratives, the imagery associated with his presidency becomes a battleground for his public persona.
Why it Matters
Trump’s decision to shun his official portrait underscores a broader struggle over image and legacy in American politics. As he navigates the turbulent waters of a presidential campaign, the refusal to display a significant piece of his past suggests a desire to control the narrative surrounding his presidency. In a nation that is increasingly divided, how Trump chooses to present himself—both in art and rhetoric—will undoubtedly influence his supporters and detractors alike, marking a crucial chapter in the ongoing saga of his political career.
