Colorado Republicans were unable to get Trump to take time while he’s in Colorado this week to appear at an unveiling of a Trump portrait, which is ready and waiting for hanging at the state capitol.
Republicans thought they had a shot at getting the president to appear at a ceremony to show off the portrait, according to multiple sources, but they struck out, leaving the completed painting in the hands of legislative staff until Republicans, led by former State Senate President Kevin Grantham, decide when and how they want to present it to the public.
Trump has a history of promoting portraits of himself, so the notion that the president would headline a ceremony spotlighting a Trump portrait was not so far fetched.
A request for an advance peek at the portrait was rejected by legislative staff.
Trump will address the graduating class at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs Thursday, and it appears there are no other planned appearances in the state.
But Trump supporters are planning to welcome the president to Colorado with Trump/Pence signs and American flags.
They’ll gather Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Academy Blvd. exit ramp off North I-25 North, according to KVOR host Jeff Crank.
Crank said on air that he expects the Trump motorcade to pass the group at 10 a.m., but the event may be forced to move at the last minute if the route is different.
Crank said elected officials should show up to “celebrate Trump” as well, and he hopes to see both Democrats and Republicans there.