Pro-Trump Art Gets Mixed Reception In East Village Bar

EAST VILLAGE, NEW YORK — It's not exactly the decor you'd expect in an East Village bar. The owner of the Cloisters Cafe on East Ninth Street has covered the walls of his establishment with his political hero – Donald Trump.

Nicholas Drobenko commissioned artist Ihor Korotash to paint Trump as he battled to become the next president during 2016's campaign.

Now three paintings hang on the walls of the bar. Alongside Trump is what Drobenko calls a “small history of the United States,” including an American Indian, the Twin Towers falling and the Statue of Liberty. Hillary Clinton also makes an appearance.

“We did this before Donald Trump won,” Drobenko said. “The way I picture it, Hillary was like the queen. She was like up there, and he was like below her, sticking his hand out, like give me a chance.”

The most obvious pro-Trump painting of the three hangs to the right, showing the president standing in front of Washington D.C.'s Capitol building, holding a briefcase in one hand and giving a thumbs up with the other. Korotash finished the painting after Trump had won the election in Nov., 2016

In that painting, Trump is flanked by an elephant and a donkey, representing the two political parties.

There's been mixed reaction from customers at the restaurant, Drobenko said. At least two diners walked out after they noticing the artwork, he said.

"Two ladies, they came in, I guess they hate Trump. They look at it, and say, 'Oh! Trump is here. I'm not eating here,'" Drobenko said.

"Everybody has their own opinions. Some people don't like him, what can you say?"

Other customers notice the art and snap photos, he said.

"They stand by it and go, 'Wow! Interesting! there is Trump.'"

One diner even asked Drobenko if the paintings were for sale, he said, adding that he wouldn't put the art on the market.

Despite the mixed views, Drobenko said he will not take the paintings down — and even vowed to hang more pro-Trump artwork on the walls.

Drobenko, who is originally from Ukraine, said he was a supporter of Trump during the campaign, and still backs the president.

“She’s been a politician for 30 years,” he said, referring to Hillary Clinton. “Him? He’s not a politician. He’s a businessman. Do we need a politician in Washington? Let’s try somebody else.”

He now blames Democrats for stalling Trump’s agenda in Washington.

“Give the man a chance,” he said. “It’s been just a year, but the other party has been trying to disturb, trying to stop what he’s doing.”

Photo Credit: Ben Feuerherd