Kim Sajet, recently dismissed as the Director of the National Portrait Gallery, has a long-standing reputation for her anti-Trump sentiments and the politicization of her role, as disclosed by a White House official to .
Sajet is noted to be a member of the World Economic Forum, an organization founded by Klaus Schwab, often viewed as a bastion of globalist ideals.
In a striking move last week, President Trump terminated Sajet’s directorship, labeling her as “a highly partisan person” and criticizing her strong support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he deemed inappropriate for her position, sharing his views on Truth Social.
President Trump Abruptly Fires Director of the National Portrait Gallery… ‘Highly Partisan Person and Strong Supporter of DEI’
A White House insider highlighted Sajet’s previous remarks and writings that reflected her alignment with DEI, Black Lives Matter, and anti-racist movements as contributing factors to her dismissal.
Here are some noteworthy examples:
- In a 2018 address, Sajet asserted that the “portrait of America” encompasses not only meritocracy but also social access, racial inequality, gender difference, religious preferences, and political power. She characterized Columbus Day as “a day of Indigenous lamentation,” emphasizing the need to recognize historical invasions rather than discoveries.
- She remarked, “We owe it to Americans to reflect them because we owe it to accurate history,” during a conversation with The London List regarding inclusivity in the Portrait Gallery. “I’m not interested in only having a museum for some people.”
- In a 2022 New York Times interview, Sajet criticized the historical portrayal of figures predominantly as “the wealthy, the pale, and the male,” as the Gallery hosted events focused on themes like immigration and racial identity.
- In 2020, Sajet initiated a competition urging artists to submit portraits of individuals who resonate within their communities, which, according to Culture Type, often featured black subjects and referenced the Black Lives Matter movement.
- As reported by USA Today in 2019, Sajet led efforts to ensure that 50% of art funding was allocated to diversify artist representation following her appointment, criticizing the historical dominance of white male figures in portraiture.
- During Trump’s initial term, she drew parallels between the Civil Rights Era of 1968 and contemporary movements like MeToo and Black Lives Matter, suggesting a resurgence of youthful activism demanding change.
- Sajet referred to George Floyd’s death as a “murder” in a statement to Vanity Fair in 2022.
- In a 2018 blog post, she criticized the lack of female representation in portrait collections, advocating for broader conversations on equity and opportunity for diverse communities.
- In 2015, Sajet celebrated the installation of a portrait of the vocal Trump critic Katy Perry, emphasizing her accomplishments rather than her celebrity status.
Her social media presence also reflects her advocacy for Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights, and DEI initiatives. She has shared photos and accolades with prominent figures such as Anderson Cooper, Kamala Harris, and Doug Emhoff, along with others like Barack and Michelle Obama.
Moreover, the White House noted Sajet’s financial contributions, totaling nearly $4,000 to Democratic candidates and left-leaning initiatives, including donations to Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, alongside her editorial choices regarding Trump’s portrayal in the Gallery.
The caption accompanying Trump’s portrait in the National Portrait Gallery reads: “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials. After losing to Joe Biden in 2020, Trump mounted a historic comeback in the 2024 election. He is the only president aside from Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) to have won a nonconsecutive second term.”
Ironically, Sajet stated that “We endeavor to avoid editorializing. I don’t want the reader to sense the curator’s opinion through the label. My goal is for them to grasp the historical facts behind the work,” she remarked.
Following her dismissal, the White House has introduced a new official presidential portrait now displayed in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
NEW OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT JUST DROPPED pic.twitter.com/mmDIGRRJNi
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 2, 2025
