Trump’s PAC-funded Smithsonian portrait remains on track — despite jailhouse mugshot

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, former President Donald Trump got a new mugshot.

His official presidential portrait, destined for a Smithsonian Institution museum, remains on track, too, Raw Story has learned.

An official for the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery confirmed to Raw Story that Trump’s litany of felony charges has not altered the museum’s plans to facilitate, unveil and display official portraits for Trump and former first lady Melania Trump.

Also unchanged: The portraits are primarily funded by a $650,000 “charitable contribution” from Trump-tied political committee Save America PAC, which a federal grand jury is investigating for fundraising off false assertions that widespread voter fraud invalidated the 2020 election.

Save America PAC has meanwhile served as Trump’s chief fundraising vehicle to cover tens of millions of dollars in legal fees associated with his criminal defense. Trump is now grappling with 91 felony counts across four separate cases — two in Washington, one in New York City and one in Fulton County, Ga. Trump on Thursday posted $200,000 bail after his formal booking on 13 counts related to his alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

“Nothing has changed in that regard since you last reported on the matter,” said National Portrait Gallery spokesperson Concetta Duncan, adding that there is still “no set time” for the official unveiling of Trump’s portrait.

In May, Raw Story revealed that Smithsonian officials lauded Save America PAC for its “generous support” and, because they were “grateful,” promised Trump officials perks in exchange for the PAC’s money.

ALSO READ: 'A little too close for comfort': Why did the National Archives disappear this Trump photo?

"To recognize this generous support, the Smithsonian will recognize Save America on the object labels that will be displayed alongside the portraits when they are on exhibition and alongside images of the portraits on the NPG website," National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet and Assistant Secretary for Advancement Robert J. Spiller wrote on May 11 to Save America PAC treasurer Bradley Crate, according to a letter obtained by Raw Story through a Freedom of Information Act request.

"In addition, Save America will be recognized in the commemorative program for, and remarks delivered at, the unveiling ceremony and provided with invitations and reserved seating for 10 guests to attend the event,” the letter to Crate continues.

The letter further states that Save America will have the "opportunity to arrange a private viewing of the portraits for up to five guests." Save America PAC would also be honored in the text of the Smithsonian's annual report.

The letter did note that Save America PAC would not be allowed to use the Smithsonian and National Portrait Gallery logos and other branding in the PAC's "products" or "product packaging," or in "advertising, promotion, publicity, or fund-raising" without Smithsonian approval.

"Just an update that we're seeing tons of angry tweets about the Trump portrait, from small and huge accounts," Smithsonian social media official Erin Blasco wrote to several colleagues. "People do not seem to understand, of course, that we have portraits of all the presidents. They're upset that we're getting a Trump portrait but also there are plenty of people upset that this counts as a 'donation,' especially since their fundraising practices have been criticized."

Among the tweets Smithsonian officials shared with each other, per their emails:

"Nice to see that @smithsonian is in bed with a Nazi pedophile wanna-be tyrant. Donation or bribe ?"

"This is f*cking infuriating."

"This is not how museums are supposed to work."

"Why would the Smithsonian even hang anything with that treasonous pig? Unless the exhibit talks about the crimes, abuse of power, and a portrait of Narcissism!"

"It's disturbing to hear that the Smithsonian is accepting so much money from Trump's Save America PAC, which has been using what Business Insider calls 'aggressive and deceptive' solicitations to squeeze money from the faithful."

The National Portrait Gallery houses a complete collection of presidential portraits.

Smithsonian officials have, however, declined to release the names of the artists who are slated to paint the Trumps’ portraits.

"Two different artists. Again, we really don’t want to get into the names," Duncan advised colleagues in an Aug. 22, 2022, email.

"We are not sharing any information about the artists at this time," National Portrait Gallery Director of Advancement Usha Subramanian emphasized in another email the same day.

Author reveals how Trump plans to retain power after leaving office: 'Gives me shivers'

An author who has written four books about President Donald Trump revealed how the president plans to retain power over the White House once he leaves office.

Journalist Michael Wolff, author of the book "Fire and Fury" about the first Trump administration, argued during a new episode of "Inside Trump's Head," a podcast he co-hosts with Joanna Coles of The Daily Beast, that Trump could use his children to stay in power after his second administration. He singled out Trump's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who seems to have been groomed for this very moment.

"He has spent his life as his father's lackey," Wolff noted. "He's spent his life in a business that is of very little consequence except to support his father, who gives me the shivers."

Wolff also noted that Don Jr. seems to be the likely heir as Trump's other children, like Ivanka and Tiffany, have effectively "taken themselves out of the running."

Lara Trump said on a new episode of Katie Miller's eponymous podcast that she would consider running for office again if the circumstances are right.

Wolff added that Trump will need to retain some influence over the White House when he retires. Otherwise, he may turn on the Republican Party.

"He really enjoyed that in his Mar-A-Lago interregnum," Wolff said. "So, he goes back to that still with the Republicans coming to kiss his rings, with his pronouncements being the leading Republican pronouncements, still being able to rag on whatever Democrat is in the White House and then, at some point, he dies a happy man," Wolff said. "However, he would be much less happy if someone in the Republican Party replaced him."

'Oh, come on!' Geraldo Rivera skewers GOP pundit's defense of Trump's bailout idea on CNN

Former Fox News host Geraldo Rivera skewered a GOP pundit's defense of President Donald Trump's latest bailout idea during a segment on CNN's "NewsNight" with host Abby Phillip.

On Tuesday, Trump was asked about a recent statement made by officials in the United Arab Emirates who said they may seek a bailout from the U.S. because of the war in Iran's impact on their economy. Trump told reporters he was open to the idea during an interview on CNBC.

"They've been a good ally of ours, and these are unusual times," Trump said about the bailout idea. "They were more than anybody else."

GOP pundit Jason Rantz, who hosts the "Seattle Red" radio show, defended Trump's idea, saying that it might be a good move in the right context.

"Oh, come on!" Rivera said. "They walk in golden slippers."

The UAE's public comments about seeking a bailout from the Trump administration are the latest sign of how unpopular the war has become for U.S. global allies. NATO allies have largely stayed away from Trump's war in Iran, and told the president they will not offer help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

'Something is coming': Analysts warn Melania's 'can of worms' may be too much for Trump

The "can of worms" that first lady Melania Trump opened up when she held a seemingly unprompted press conference about her ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein may be too much for President Donald Trump to survive, according to two analysts.

Sidney Blumenthal and Sean Wilentz discussed Melania Trump's recent press conference on a new episode of the podcast, "The Court of History." They speculated that Melania Trump must know something is about to be revealed about her ties to Epstein, otherwise she wouldn't have felt compelled to make some of the statements that she did.

Blumenthal described the address as a "can of worms" that the Trump administration has tried to avoid.

"Why is she so scared? That's the only question I have," Wilentz said. "Why would she do such a thing? The Epstein files have been off. He's blown up the Middle East in order to avoid the Epstein files. And here is Melania Trump coming out in the middle of nowhere saying, 'I had nothing to do with it in the way that you described.' Something's bugging her. She knows that something's coming. Obviously, something must be coming, or she wouldn't have done this."

Blumenthal compared the press conference to a scene in "The Godfather" where Frank Pentangeli denied the existence of the mafia.

"Instead of singing, she's clamming up," Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal also noted that Melania Trump's past dovetails with Donald Trump's attempt to purchase a modeling firm with Epstein and another business partner, and that the details of that relationship remain unknown.

Jared Holt: Republicans have disinformation researchers in their crosshairs

Trump’s PAC-funded Smithsonian portrait remains on track — despite jailhouse mugshot

Author reveals how Trump plans to retain power after leaving office: 'Gives me shivers'

'Oh, come on!' Geraldo Rivera skewers GOP pundit's defense of Trump's bailout idea on CNN

'Something is coming': Analysts warn Melania's 'can of worms' may be too much for Trump

Author reveals how Trump plans to retain power after leaving office: 'Gives me shivers'

'Oh, come on!' Geraldo Rivera skewers GOP pundit's defense of Trump's bailout idea on CNN

'Something is coming': Analysts warn Melania's 'can of worms' may be too much for Trump

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