Posted on 04/25/2025 9:54:21 AM PDT by simpson96
Moscow CNN — In March, Russian president Vladimir Putin gifted Donald Trump a mystery portrait of the US president.
The painting was delivered by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, who, in an interview with podcast host Tucker Carlson, described it as “a beautiful portrait” by a “leading Russian artist.”
Trump, he added, was “clearly touched by it.”
But the portrait itself was not publicly revealed.
Now, the artist behind the Kremlin-commissioned artwork has given CNN an exclusive look at the portrait.
The painting gifted to the US president shows Trump raising his fist on stage after the failed assassination attempt at his Butler, Pennsylvania rally in July 2024 and is the work of Nikas Safronov, one of Russia’s most famous artists, the Kremlin confirmed to CNN.
“It was important to me to show the blood, the scar and his bravery during the attempt on his life. He didn’t break down or become afraid, but raised his arm to show he is one with America and will bring back what it deserves,” the artist told CNN in Moscow.
(snip)
For his Trump portrait, Safronov said, he was “visited by some people who said they want me to paint Trump as I see him.” He did not initially know who his “visitors” were, he added, explaining that as a prominent artist, “there are clients who do not go into details” – but he suspected it was the Kremlin.
“When I started the portrait, I realized this could bring our countries closer, and decided not to charge any money because I suspected what this painting was for,” the artist said.
Later though, he says, he was contacted by Putin himself, who told him the flattering Trump portrait was an important step in improving Russia’s relationship with the United States.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Very nice! Thank you, Russia.
Very nice Nikas, but i noted that you included two Ukranians eating salad topped with Russian dressing in a window of one of the buildings- subtle message there?
He got the flag wrong, only 45 stars..........
45 stars - July 4, 1896 to July 3, 1908
Hhhmmmm...
Russia is not our enemy, in fact, the EU is a greater threat to the U.S.
Putin is not the devil, and Russia is not the USSR. Trump and Putin have a good working relationship.
PS. There was an article posted on FR not long ago about Putin saying when Trump was shot at in PA, he prayed for Trump, went to church and the priest and he also prayed for Trump.
That’s not Trump. That’s Alec Baldwin doing his Trump impersonation.
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