Kamala Harris mural in Atlanta painted over following her loss. Artist behind mural urges everyone to move on

A mural of Kamala Harris in Atlanta, Georgia, was painted over just days after her recent election defeat.

Located in Atlanta’s historic West End, the mural portrayed the vice president surrounded by pink roses against a vibrant blue background. It was completed in late October as one of four commissioned by the Harris campaign, aiming to encourage voter turnout on election day.

Footage circulating online shows a man using an extended roller to cover the mural with red paint shortly after Donald Trump’s election victory. The act sparked significant debate on social media, with some calling it “disrespectful.”

One commenter argued, “There are so many reasons it should remain; she’s still the VP.” Another noted that removing the mural feels like “erasing” Harris’s legacy.

Conversely, some supported the removal, with one saying, “The Democrats are already eyeing new candidates for 2028, and Kamala will fade into history.”

Murals dedicated to prominent figures have been a defining feature of Atlanta’s public art scene. The city also features murals of icons like Martin Luther King Jr., a tribute to the civil rights leader born in Atlanta.

While Atlanta’s suburbs largely supported Harris, a conservative shift across other parts of Georgia helped Donald Trump reclaim the swing state, which had turned blue for Biden in 2020.

Chris Clark, the artist behind the Harris mural, responded to the controversy, explaining that the artwork was intended as a temporary piece. On Instagram, he shared, “The murals are temporary, meant to be momentary ads, not forever.”

He added, “Trolls are celebrating its removal, but no matter who won, that mural is part of history, and I’m proud to have been part of it. On to the next project.”