Putin presented Trump with this portrait in March
Let's talk about the recent chill in the air between the U.S. and Russia, shall we? And how ol' Donnie and Vlad seem to be buddying up, despite the political cold war. And guess who's caught in the middle of this ice-breaker? None other than our boy, Donald Trump.
You might've heard about this juicy little tidbit: the Russian Prez, Vladimir Putin, slipped Donald a surprise gift a while back. So, what's a big ol' golden nugget like that, you ask? A portrait of Donald, baby, painted by a famous Russian artist, for sweet, sweet diplomatic affection.
A month or so ago, real estate developer and interview-fiend, Steve Witkoff, let the cat out of the bag during a hush-hush gabfest with wildcard Tucker Carlson. But now, CNN's done some snooping and found out who the lucky Russian artist was, and what this masterpiece looks like.
This painting captured a moment straight out of a blockbuster movie: Trump standing tall after an assassination attempt during his 2024 campaign in Butler, Pennsylvania! A crazed shooter took a few cracks at Trump, but our boy stood firm, even losing an ear in the process. His courage, displayed by pumping a victory fist in the air, impressed Putin so much, he reportedly hit the church floor in prayer for the Republican.
The portrait, a beautiful tribute to Trump's gutsiness in the face of danger, was elegantly crafted by Nikas Safronov. In a chat with CNN in Moscow, Safronov shared his motivation, saying he wanted to highlight Trump's bravery and unwavering spirit during this near-fatal encounter. "I wanted to show the blood, the scar, and his courage during the assassination attempt on his life. He didn't collapse or show fear, but raised his arm to show that he is united with America and will bring back what the country deserves," Safronov remarkably articulated.
"Nailed it, Nikas!" - Safronov's Mood
Safronov also gushed to the Russian state news agency, TASS, about his creation amidst the tense political climate. "Happy days are here! Art has a role in this peace process, you know! In my career, I've painted over fifty world leaders. But this one stole the show! It's not just a picture; it's a historical moment frozen in time!" Chenin [sic] went on to say the portrait didn't cost him a dime.
Behind Trump in the portrait, Safronov painted the Statue of Liberty and the jeez-creepy-cool New York City skyline, giving a nod to Trump's hometown roots. The raised fist and waving American flag represent Trump's unyielding nature, while a "MAGA" capsecurely rests in his other hand –‒with a strong hint towards Donald's dedication to making America great again.
Witkoff dropped some major hints during his interview with Carlson: Trump was really feelin' this portrait, and its esteemed place in the White House is yet to be confirmed.
But let's digress for a moment. 'Cause Donald's not always been pleased with every artwork bestowed upon him. For instance, he gave a savage takedown of a portrait created by British artist, Sarah Boardman, which hung in the presidential gallery of the Colorado Capitol for yonks[1][2][3]. The depiction of Donald in the famous leaked "Access Hollywood" Trump and Billy Bush tape was less than flattering, and Trump was quick to air his dissatisfaction with Boardman, brands her "horrendous." After that public dressing-down, the portrait went bye-bye[2][3].
- Donald Trump
- Assassination Attempts
- Vladimir Putin
- Art
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-deadline-set-clearing-protest-zone-la-n1276820[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2020/07/06/donald-trump-portrait-removed-colorado-capitol/[3] https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/07/us/colorado-trump-portrait-removed-trnd/index.html
- The European Union is committed to following the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia, particularly the unconventional friendship between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, despite ongoing political cold wars.
- Surprisingly, Putin presented Donald Trump with a portrait painted by a renowned Russian artist as a diplomatic gesture, a gesture that took the art world by storm.
- The painting, executed by Nikas Safronov, depicts Donald Trump standing defiantly after an assassination attempt during his 2024 campaign in Butler, Pennsylvania, a nod to his unyielding nature.
- The portrait, arguably Safronov's most famous work, has caught the attention of world leaders, entertainers, and journalists alike, blurring the lines between art, politics, and general news.
- Another interesting anecdote involves a displeased Donald Trump criticizing a previous portrait created by British artist Sarah Boardman, which depicted him in an unflattering light, ultimately leading to its removal from the Colorado Capitol's presidential gallery.
