Documents: Trump spent $650,000 from donations from his supporters to create a painting for himself

Former US President Donald Trump used $650,000 of his supporters’ money to fund an official portrait of him to be displayed in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

The former president’s Save America Political Action Committee made a $650,000 donation to the Smithsonian in July, according to FEC documents.

The foundation, which includes official portraits of all former presidents, confirmed Trump’s decision and said the money was specifically intended to pay for paintings of Trump and former first lady Melania.

A spokesman said, “All presidential portraits commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution are paid for with private funds raised by the museum.”

The museum added that “the production of paintings is in full swing,” noting that the identities of the artists will be revealed later, as is customary.

An additional donation of $100,000 from an unknown private donor will also go toward making the paintings.

According to the gallery, the six-figure donations will fund the artists’ drawings, framing, installations and image-related events.

The National Portrait Gallery was established by Congress in 1962, and commissions for portraits of presidents began in 1994, beginning with a painting by Ronald Scheer of George W. Bush.

Source: The Independent

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