New York Daily News

You gotta have art – of Donald

- BY BRIAN NIEMIETZ

There’s a new “Art of the Deal.”

One of Michael Cohen’s first orders of business in his congressio­nal testimony Wednesday was to introduce a copy of a 2013 Daily News article (bottom) about a billionair­e pal of the President’s buying a portrait of The Donald at an East Hampton art auction. But the plot thickens.

According to Cohen, pharmaceut­ical bigwig Stewart Rahr plunked down money for artist William Quigley’s painting of his friend and landlord on July 13, 2013. But Trump later paid back Rahr using Trump Foundation money, the President’s former fixer now claims.

Sources told The News the painting sold for $60,000 at the time. Cohen confirmed that number during his testimony.

Three days following the event, Trump tweeted, “Just found out that at a charity auction of celebrity portraits in E. Hampton, my portrait by artist William Quigley topped list at $60K.”

On July 18, BlackBook reported Rahr had bought the 9foot portrait for Trump, but there was no mention of foundation money being used.

It wouldn’t be the last time Rahr — who couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday — opened his checkbook for Trump. In 2016, Trump skipped a GOP presidenti­al debate, announcing instead he’d hold a fund-raiser for veterans. Trump claimed he’d raised $6 million for vets, including the $1 million donation he personally made.

According to The Washington Post, some of the vets groups Trump’s fund-raiser benefited received checks from the Stewart Rahr Foundation. The Daily Beast said at least $250,000 in donations came from Rahr.

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