From Spain to the Supreme Court: Julian Raven’s Battle for Artistic Freedom

In this powerful episode, British-born, Spain-raised, and American-made artist Julian Raven shares his incredible journey — from missionary work and personal trauma to painting a now-iconic portrait of Donald Trump and fighting a nearly decade-long First Amendment battle with the Smithsonian Institution. Julian's painting, Unafraid and Unashamed, sparked outrage and was rejected by the National Portrait Gallery for being “too pro-Trump.” Instead of backing down, Julian sued the Smithsonian, took his case all the way to the Supreme Court, and exposed the deep-seated political bias inside America’s most prestigious cultural institution. We dive deep into Julian’s Christian testimony, his life as a patriot artist, and his artistic inspiration, as well as the legal and emotional rollercoaster that followed. If you care about free speech, cancel culture, and the power of art, this conversation will stay with you. 🔹 Topics Covered: Trump portrait controversyJulian Raven’s lawsuit against the SmithsonianBehind the painting “Unafraid and Unashamed”Political art censorshipThe role of faith in resilienceThe power of patriotic storytelling 📚 Learn more at: https://smithsoninstitution.org 🎨 Julian's Art Site: https://julianraven.com