Pro-Trump artist paints potentially record-breaking Old Glory for America’s 250th
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Patriotic artist Scott LoBaido is putting the finishing touches on what he calls Old Glory’s largest oil-on-canvas portrait ever at the Great American State Fair in D.C., but the outspoken Trump supporter says the message behind the giant American flag is entirely apolitical.
The American flag “does not belong to any party,” LoBaido told Fox News Digital as he painted the 30-by-17-foot flag at the Made in America Pavilion during the Great American State Fair in the nation’s capital as part of the broader celebration surrounding America’s 250th birthday.
The Staten Island artist said he believes the piece may be the largest oil-on-canvas American flag ever created.
“I am a political person, but that is irrelevant,” LoBaido said. “This flag belongs to everyone.”
HOA THREATENS AMERICAN FLAG HOMEOWNERS FIGHTING FOR THE OLD GLORY AHEAD OF THE COUNTRY’S 250TH BIRTHDAY
Scott LoBaido’s paintings are on display at the Great American State Fair. (Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The New York-based pro-Trump artist told Fox News Digital that some on the left “run away from the flag because they think it’s a MAGA symbol,” but LoBaido argued that view misses the point of both the flag and its image.
“The fair we’re at right now is a perfect example because we have a lot of Democrats coming here,” LoBaido said. “And they know me, they know my politics. And we didn’t have any political conversations. We talked about the flag, the art of it, the meaning of the flag… How special it is that we’re at the 250th birthday party.”
LoBaido also pushed back against those protesting against the country for disrespecting the flag, arguing that Old Glory is what protects their right to protest in the first place.
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“The American flag, for which men and women still die, gives you the freedom to be whatever you want, do whatever you want, protest whatever you want,” LoBaido added. “So that flag should always be in the air.”
LoBaido told Fox News Digital that it was the size and vibrant setting of the painting that made the project different from his past work painting the American flag.
“I believe this is the largest American flag ever made in oil on canvas, a massive canvas size of 9 feet by 17 feet,” he said. “Here is the largest detailed oil painting of Old Glory.”
LoBaido added that there was no better place to publicly create the work than at America’s 250th birthday celebration, calling the American flag itself “the greatest work of art.”
“Where better to unveil, publicly create, live this greatest work of art—not mine, but the American flag itself—at the birthday party of the greatest place in the universe, America, and its 250th birthday party?”
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LoBaido expects the final unveiling to be emotional, adding that he plans to put the finishing touches on the painting on Independence Day before finding it a permanent home.
Preparations for the Freedom 250 Great American State Fair continue on June 22, 2026, at the National Mall in Washington, DC. The fair will fill the mall from June 25 through July 10 with 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories. ((Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images))
“I’m just going to put the finishing touches on it and, I don’t know, maybe make an emotional statement, make a little speech,” he said, adding that he “has a soft spot for this country and the Star-Spangled Banner is sung properly.”
LoBaido told Fox News Digital he was already interested in the painting, but also floated a high-profile possibility of where the painting might land.
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“Wouldn’t this look great in the White House ballroom?” he said. “I think this would be the most beautiful painting with a gold frame. Who knows?”
The artist said he already owns several of Trump’s paintings, but joked that he “might have to open his checkbook” if the President wanted it, adding that he would donate a “huge portion” of his proceeds to charity.
