NYT WORLD: A Massive Trump Painting Has Mysteriously Gone Missing
By Maria Abi-Habib
Section: World
Source: New York Times
Published Date: March 21, 2023 at 02:00AM
His personal mission? Make it larger than life, to show a great man, doing great things, with God on his side. Now, Democrats want to know where the eight-foot portrait of the former president disappeared to, but that is anybody’s guess.
Nearly three years after the painting was delivered to Mr. Trump, the artist says he is honored that the artwork is one of several gifts given to the former president and his family during his presidency that are unaccounted for, according to a report released Friday by Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
“I’m flattered that he cherished it. Because he’s a billionaire,” said the artist, Francisco Antonio López Benavides, 59. “He can have a thousand paintings of him. But if he took my painting, it’s because he loves and values the art. I’m happy.”
Other missing gifts include a piece of ornate jewelry gifted by officials in Saudi Arabia and an expensive golf putter from the former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, the report said.
The portrait is one of about 100 gifts worth more than $250,000 that were given to the presidential family, but were never disclosed, according to the Democrats’ report.
By Maria Abi-Habib
Section: World
Source: New York Times
Published Date: March 21, 2023 at 02:00AM
A portrait of former President Donald J. Trump by a Salvadoran painter is one of several gifts to the presidential family that is now unaccounted for.
It was the commission of a lifetime for this artist, who grew up poor in El Salvador with no formal training: Paint a portrait of the 45th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.His personal mission? Make it larger than life, to show a great man, doing great things, with God on his side. Now, Democrats want to know where the eight-foot portrait of the former president disappeared to, but that is anybody’s guess.
Nearly three years after the painting was delivered to Mr. Trump, the artist says he is honored that the artwork is one of several gifts given to the former president and his family during his presidency that are unaccounted for, according to a report released Friday by Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
“I’m flattered that he cherished it. Because he’s a billionaire,” said the artist, Francisco Antonio López Benavides, 59. “He can have a thousand paintings of him. But if he took my painting, it’s because he loves and values the art. I’m happy.”
Other missing gifts include a piece of ornate jewelry gifted by officials in Saudi Arabia and an expensive golf putter from the former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, the report said.
The portrait is one of about 100 gifts worth more than $250,000 that were given to the presidential family, but were never disclosed, according to the Democrats’ report.
Read More at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/world/americas/trump-painting-missing.html
Jack Smith and Manhattan DA have Trump in MASSIVE Panic Mode
Streamed live on Mar 24, 2023 MeidasTouch Podcast - Full Episodes
On this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast, we discuss the ongoing legal battles surrounding former President Donald Trump, including the delay of the Manhattan Grand Jury vote for his indictment and his latest attacks against prosecutors. We also cover Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's response to House GOP attempts to obstruct the investigation into Trump and the recent win for Special Counsel Jack Smith in the federal criminal case against Trump regarding the classified documents stolen and found at Mar-a-Lago. Additionally, we talk about Trump's escalating attacks on his rival Ron DeSantis and the latest Republican committee hearings, that once backfired in massive ways. Lastly, we discuss President Biden celebration of the 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and his pledge to continue to get every American affordable health coverage. New full-length episodes of the MeidasTouch Podcast featuring the brothers are released every Tuesday & Friday morning. The rest of the week, enjoy our short-form content we call ‘The Mighty.’ If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe.
Posts
