In a surprising announcement this week, former President Donald Trump revealed he has fired Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery.
Trump made the declaration on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying the decision came after many people urged him to take action.
Trump Criticizes Sajet’s Leadership and Support for DEI
Trump called Sajet a “highly partisan person” and criticized her strong backing of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he claimed were inappropriate for her role.
He promised to name her replacement soon, thanking his followers for their attention to the matter.
Background on Kim Sajet and the Gallery’s Role
Kim Sajet, who was born in the Netherlands and raised in Australia, has been leading the National Portrait Gallery since 2013 — a position she assumed during President Obama’s administration.
The gallery itself, created by Congress in 1962, is part of the Smithsonian Institution, which receives funding from both private donors and the federal government.
According to the gallery’s website, about 62% of its budget comes from federal funding.
The National Portrait Gallery houses over 23,000 pieces of art, including a notable collection called “America’s Presidents,” showcasing portraits of all U.S. presidents.
Controversy Over Trump’s Portrait and Caption
One of the reasons cited for Sajet’s dismissal involves the gallery’s portrait of Trump, accompanied by a caption highlighting his two impeachments—one for abuse of power and another for incitement of insurrection related to the January 6 Capitol attack.
The caption also noted his acquittal by the Senate in both trials and celebrated his “historic comeback” with a nonconsecutive second term after defeating Joe Biden in 2024.
Sajet had previously told The Guardian that the gallery strives to remain neutral and factual when describing its portraits, acknowledging that opinions on presidents vary widely.
White House Highlights Sajet’s Political Donations
Adding fuel to the fire, a White House official revealed Sajet had donated nearly $4,000 to Democratic candidates, including President Biden and Hillary Clinton.
This information was used to paint her as politically biased.
Trump’s Broader Campaign Against Cultural Institutions
This isn’t the first time Trump has taken aim at cultural institutions he views as left-leaning or “anti-American.”
Earlier this year, he removed the leadership at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, replacing key figures with his loyal supporters who then elected him chairman.
Similarly, in May, Trump abruptly fired Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, after accusing her of promoting what he called “radical” and inappropriate content for children.
Hayden, the first African American Librarian of Congress, had her term cut short despite being appointed for a ten-year tenure.
What’s Next for the National Portrait Gallery?
With Sajet out and a new director expected to be named soon, many are watching closely to see how the National Portrait Gallery’s leadership and policies will shift under new management.
Given Trump’s history of targeting cultural organizations, the gallery’s future direction may become a hot topic in both political and art circles.