Former president Donald Trump's leadership PAC gave $650,000 to the Smithsonian Institution to pay for portraits of himself and former first lady Melania Trump, financial documents show.
Save America paid the money to the museum on July 14, according to a filing Saturday night with the Federal Election Commission.
Linda St. Thomas, chief spokesperson for the Smithsonian, said the museum''s National Portrait Gallery solicits private donations to pay for all the portraits of all the presidents, and that Save America's donation is "accompanied by one additional private donation."
The portrait gallery raised $750,000 from nearly 300 donors to pay for portraits of former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, St. Thomas said. She also pointed to a list of dozens of donors who contributed to portraits of former president George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush.
"Two artists have been commissioned. One for each portrait," St. Thomas said. "The names will be released closer to the reveal of the paintings as is the museum’s tradition. The funds support the artists’ fees, shipping, framing, installation and events."
"The creation of the portraits is underway," she said. "The timing of the artworks’ reveal not determined yet."
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