A new report has uncovered that former President Donald Trump intends to keep his official White House portrait from his first term out of public display, with plans to commission a different image to represent his presidency upon leaving office in 2029.
Portrait Painted but Never Displayed
The official portrait from President Donald Trump's first term was painted in 2021 by the late artist Ronald Sherr, shortly after Trump left office. This artwork, commissioned by the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, reportedly depicts Trump at a rally with the White House visible in the background. However, it has never been shown to the public.
Breaking with Presidential Tradition
Typically, presidential portraits are hung in the gallery's "America's Presidents" exhibit after a president has permanently left office. Due to Trump's announcement in 2022 that he was running for office again, the painting was not displayed. According to The New York Times, Trump now "prefers a different image to represent his presidency" when he departs in 2029.
White House officials informed the Times that the 2021 portrait is seen as a "vestige of his first term," and discussions have occurred about creating a second portrait that encapsulates his entire time in office, including both his 45th and potential 47th terms.
Official Statements and Gallery Response
White House spokesman Davis Ingle stated to the newspaper, "President Trump was appreciative of the portrait created for his 45th term, and looks forward to seeing the completion of a portrait that will encapsulate both his 45th and 47th presidential terms."
In contrast, a spokeswoman for the National Portrait Gallery told the Times that the institution was "unaware" of any request for a second portrait. When contacted by The Independent for comment, a gallery spokesperson simply said, "We have no comment at this time."
Artist's Perspective and Family Insights
Lois Sherr, the widow of artist Ronald Sherr, revealed to the outlet that her late husband mentioned Trump had spoken "warmly" of the portrait. She emphasized, "What sets this portrait by Ron apart is that he captured Trump's movement, energy and feeling of absolute resolve."
History of Grievances Over Portraits and Photographs
If portraits or photographs do not meet Trump's approval, he has frequently used Truth Social to express his dissatisfaction. For instance, in October 2025, he complained about a Time Magazine cover photograph taken from a low angle, calling it "the Worst of All Time" and stating, "I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles."
Additionally, in March of last year, the Colorado state legislature agreed to remove a painting of Trump after he criticized it on Truth Social as "distorted" and "the worst." Trump remarked, "Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado ... was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before." He added that the artist, who also painted President Obama, "must have lost her talent as she got older."
This pattern highlights Trump's ongoing concern with his public image and how it is portrayed in official artworks and media representations.
