Donald Trump has firmly denied any involvement in drawing or sketching, stating, “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women,” in response to a report by the Wall Street Journal about a 2003 letter to Jeffrey Epstein. This letter reportedly included an outline of a naked woman, prompting Trump’s comprehensive denial. He reiterated his stance on Truth Social, saying, “I don’t draw pictures.”
Despite these claims, evidence has emerged suggesting otherwise. Dr. Lowery Lockard, who directed a charity auction for the nonprofit organization Hattie Larlham in 2004, revealed that Trump sent her two signed drawings for the event. Lockard expressed her surprise at the artistic quality of Trump’s work, stating, “It was somebody we reached out to. It just wasn’t really something that I would have expected.”
Artistic Contributions and Authenticity
Lockard’s comments raise questions about Trump’s vigorous denial regarding his artistic abilities. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has also stated he has never seen his father doodle. Trump has similarly denied authoring the letter referenced by the Wall Street Journal, which was reportedly part of a collection of notes presented to Epstein for his 50th birthday. In a related statement, White House spokesman Steven Cheung characterized the Wall Street Journal’s reporting as “fake news,” maintaining that the president does not produce the kind of drawings described.
For the 2004 charity auction, Lockard collected approximately 150 drawings from various celebrities, sending them a “doodle kit” for their contributions. Trump opted for a depiction of the New York City skyline, a choice that aligns with his persona as a prominent real estate mogul. According to Lockard, the celebrities returned their drawings with signed waivers, authenticating their pieces for auction. “They sign a release that they’re aware that we’re going to sell them,” she explained, noting that Trump’s signature remains authenticated.
While discussing Trump’s denial, Lockard expressed confusion over his terminology, stating, “‘Wrote a picture’ is a little bit different than drawing a doodle, I guess.” She emphasized that they possess an authentic signature from Trump, completed using a gold Sharpie.
Market Value of Trump’s Art
Other drawings attributed to Trump have also surfaced in auction markets. For instance, a sketch of a tree adorned with falling dollar bills, signed “Donald Trump” in gold Sharpie, fetched $8,500, while another drawing of the Empire State Building sold for $16,000 at Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles in 2017. That same year, a minimalist depiction of the New York City skyline, also signed in gold marker, achieved a sale price of $29,184.
One of the drawings auctioned in 2004 has been donated back to another charity and is scheduled for auction in September 2023. The winning bidder will receive a signed letter of authentication from Trump, which Lockard anticipates will generate significant interest. “This should raise a pretty penny,” she noted, indicating a starting bid of $10,000 for what she describes as “a great doodle.”
The contrast between Trump’s assertions and the evidence of his artistic contributions continues to generate intrigue, raising discussion about the intersection of celebrity, art, and public perception.
