Trump dismisses head of Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery
President Donald Trump has moved to restructure the Smithsonian Institution, ousting the director of the National Portrait Gallery and asserting control over several of its cultural institutions. The latest dismissal comes after a series of actions and directives from the administration targeting what Trump deems as divisive and anti-American content.
On Friday, Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that Kim Sajet, the head of the National Portrait Gallery, was being removed from her post. The president accused Sajet, a Dutch-Australian national, of being a partisan figure and a proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), unusual for her position. Sajet took office in 2013 under former President Barack Obama.
Trump's distaste for the national network of museums and cultural centers has been well-documented. He has repeatedly branded them as leftist and anti-American. In March, he signed an executive order aimed at defunding programs at the Smithsonian that promoted what he described as "divisive, race-centered ideology."
Under this order, Vice President J.D. Vance was assigned to oversee efforts to eradicate such ideology from the entire Smithsonian Institution, including its museums, education, research centers, and the National Zoo.
In February, the administration also replaced the leadership of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts—part of the Smithsonian Institution—dismissing the chair and president and replacing most of the board with loyalists. These new appointees then voted Trump the new chairman.
The Trump administration's actions have raised concerns about the Smithsonian's ability to maintain its mission and independence, potentially affecting its cultural prestige and financial stability. Notably, film director Ava DuVernay has spoken out against the administration's changes at the Smithsonian, reflecting a broader resistance from the cultural community.
[Relevant data integration: The executive order issued by the Trump administration titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" mandates the Smithsonian to remove exhibits and programs deemed anti-American or divisive, including content about systemic racism, LGBTQ+ rights, and other progressive topics. This moves have raised governance risks, as the institution relies heavily on federal funding and may face financial instability and reputational damage if it does not comply with the administration's directives.]
- The latest news in general-news shows that President Donald Trump's administration has taken steps to restructure the Smithsonian Institution, aiming to eradicate what he perceives as divisive and anti-American content.
- The executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," issued by the Trump administration, requires the Smithsonian Institution to remove exhibits and programs deemed anti-American or divisive, a move that could conflict with the institution's education and research on subjects like systemic racism and LGBTQ+ rights.
- The Trump administration's actions in politics, such as the removal of Kim Sajet from the National Portrait Gallery and the replacement of leadership at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, have sparked concerns about the Smithsonian's independence and potential impact on its cultural prestige and financial stability in the realm of politics and the news.
