Russian leader Vladimir Putin reportedly gifted President Trump a portrait of the Republican raising his fist after he narrowly survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally last summer.
The painting was commissioned by the Kremlin — and the artist didn’t even charge a fee in hopes the artwork would bring the two countries closer together, CNN reported.
In March, Vladimir Putin gifted Donald Trump a mystery portrait of the US President.Now, the artist behind the Kremlin-commissioned artwork has given CNN’s @mchancecnn an exclusive look at what he says is the portrait.Read and watch here: https://t.co/OdpLVXTGPk
— CNN International PR (@cnnipr) April 22, 2025
The painting captures the then-candidate, 78, pumping his fist in the air with the American flag and Statue of Liberty in the background.
Blood splattered across part of Trump’s face was also accentuated in the artwork.
The July 13, 2024, assassination attempt — and the future commander in chief’s defiant “Fight, fight, fight” fist-pumping immediately after a bullet nearly took his life — became a defining moment in Trump’s campaign.
“It was important to me to show the blood, the scar and his bravery during the attempt on his life,” artist Nikas Safronov told CNN in Moscow.
“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.”
Putin gave the painting to Trump envoy Steve Witkoff in March, when the official was in Moscow seeking an end to the three-year Russia-Ukraine war.
Safronov said he was initially visited by some people, who didn’t explain where they were from, asking him to “paint Trump as I see him.” He suspected the request came from 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,” he told CNN, noting Putin personally called him to commend his work.
The Russian leader also reportedly told Safronov the painting was a critical step in improving relations between the two rival countries.
Trump and Putin, 72, have praised each other dating back to the GOP leader’s first term in office, though there has been a simmering tension over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine that started when Joe Biden was president.
Putin told Witkoff during that March meeting that “he went to his local church and met with his priest and prayed for the president,” the envoy later told Tucker Carlson during an interview.
“Not because he could become the president of the United States, but because he has a friendship with him and he was praying for his friend.”
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