Russian artist reveals mysterious portrait of Trump he says Putin gave to US president

In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted Donald Trump with a mysterious 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 "Russian artist."

Trump, he added, was "clearly moved by this." But the portrait was not publicly revealed, the Telegraph reports.

Now, the artist behind the Kremlin-commissioned artwork has given CNN an exclusive look at what he says is the portrait.

The painting, which shows Trump raising his fist on stage after the failed assassination attempt at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024, is the work of Nikas Safronov, one of Russia's most famous artists.

"It was important for me to show his blood, his wounds and his bravery during the attempt to kill him. He didn't collapse or get scared, but raised his arm to show that he is one with America and will bring what he deserves," the artist told CNN in Moscow.

Safronov is no stranger to portraits of world leaders, having painted dozens of global figures, including the late Pope Francis and Indian President Narendra Modi.

For his portrait of Trump, Safronov said, "I was visited by several people who said they want me to paint Trump the way I see him."

He didn't initially know who his "visitors" were, he added, explaining that as a prominent artist, "he has clients who don't go into detail" - but he suspected it was the Kremlin.

"When I started the portrait, I realized that this could bring our countries closer together and I decided not to ask for money because I doubted what this painting was about," the artist said.

However, later, he says, he was contacted by Putin himself, who told him that Trump's portrait was an important step in improving Russia's relations with the United States.

The portrait that Safronov showed CNN and says was gifted to Trump by Putin is similar to a painting that now hangs in the Grand Foyer of the White House, after an official portrait of former President Barack Obama was moved from the site. /Telegraph