Donald Trump firmly denied allegations regarding his artistic abilities following a report from the Wall Street Journal about a letter to Jeffrey Epstein. The letter, dated 2003, allegedly included Trump’s name alongside a sketch of a naked woman. In response, Trump stated, “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women,” emphasizing his disavowal of any artistic contributions. He reiterated this sentiment on Truth Social, asserting, “I don’t draw pictures.”
Despite Trump’s denials, evidence has emerged suggesting otherwise. According to Dr. Lowery Lockard, who organized a charity auction for the non-profit foundation Hattie Larlham in 2004, Trump provided two signed drawings for the event. Lockard expressed her surprise and admiration for the drawings, stating, “It was somebody we reached out to. It just wasn’t really something that I would have expected.”
The auction featured around 150 celebrity-drawn pieces, and Trump’s contributions were notably distinct. He chose to depict the New York City skyline, a fitting representation of his real estate mogul persona. Each celebrity was sent a “doodle kit” and required to return their sketches along with a signed waiver to authenticate their work. Lockard confirmed that Trump’s signature was authenticated when it was received, which adds credibility to the pieces in question.
When asked about Trump’s denial of ever having “written a picture,” Lockard remarked, “‘Wrote a picture’ is a little bit different than drawing a doodle, I guess. I’m not exactly sure what that terminology means. But we do have an authentic signature.” Trump’s drawings were created with a gold sharpie, adding a unique touch to their value.
Other Trump-drawn pieces have surfaced in various auctions, fetching significant sums. For instance, a drawing of a tree adorned with dollar bills sold for $8,500, while a sketch of the Empire State Building achieved $16,000 at Julien’s Auctions in 2017. Furthermore, a minimalist depiction of the New York City skyline sold for $29,184 that same year.
Lockard noted that one of Trump’s drawings from the 2004 auction has been donated back to charity and will be auctioned again in September. The winning bidder will receive a signed letter of authentication from Trump, and Lockard anticipates a strong interest in the piece, stating, “This should raise a pretty penny,” with bidding starting at $10,000. “It’s a great doodle,” she added.
The contrast between Trump’s vivid denials and the reality of his artistic endeavors raises intriguing questions about his public persona. As the debate continues over the authenticity and value of his drawings, the art world and his supporters alike will be watching closely as the auction date approaches.