|
 The portrait by Portland-based painter and activist Sarah Levy
drew worldwide attention as Republican candidates prepared for their
second debate, to be aired on CNN on Wednesday. It was after the
first debate last month that Trump declared that Kelly, a moderator
who had questioned him pointedly about some unflattering comments
about women, "had blood coming out of her wherever."
"It was outrageous to me that someone running for president of the
United States of America, not just some small-state governor or a
random rich guy, but president, could say what he did and still be
in the race,” Levy said in a statement on the website of the
International Socialist Organization, socialistworker.org, where she
is a regular contributor.
"To think that he could talk this way about the basic functioning of
a woman's reproductive system, not just to avoid tough political
questions, but to insult Kelly's intelligence, and effectively all
women's, was infuriating and needed to be called out,” she said.
Levy said she painted the image of Trump, which portrays him in
shades of red with white teeth, using her own menstrual blood, a
paintbrush and a tampon.
She said she has received praise as well as responses from people
who are outraged or disgusted by the painting.
Trump's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
After the debate hosted by Fox News last month, Trump complained
about Kelly's questioning of him. "You could see there was blood
coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever,” the
candidate said.
[to top of second column] |
The remark was widely interpreted as referring to menstrual blood,
implying that she was in an unfriendly mood because she was
menstruating. Trump, however, has denied this and said he meant that
blood was coming out of Kelly's nose.
Levy titled her painting "Whatever," in a reference to Trump's use
of the word "wherever" in his comment about Kelly.
Because Trump has made his opposition to illegal immigration a
centerpiece of his campaign, Levy said any proceeds from the sales
of the painting and posters will be donated to immigrants' rights
organizations. The posters will be sold for $20 each and the
original will be auctioned next week, she said.
(Editing by Sharon Bernstein and Eric Walsh)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
