National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet Steps Down After Trump’s Social Media Attempt to Fire Her
A leadership shake-up at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has taken an unusually public turn. Kim Sajet, who led the Washington, D.C., museum, stepped down in June 2025 after President Donald Trump attempted to fire her via social media.
Sajet’s departure, first reported by ARTnews, underscores how museum governance can be pulled into the churn of national politics, particularly when personnel decisions become fodder for online pronouncements rather than internal process. While the circumstances were highly visible, the outcome was straightforward: Sajet exited the National Portrait Gallery role and has since taken up a new post as director of the Milwuakee Art Museum.
The episode lands at a moment when cultural institutions are increasingly scrutinized not only for their programming and collections, but also for their leadership and perceived alignment with broader political narratives. For museums that rely on public trust, donor confidence, and careful stewardship, abrupt attempts to remove directors in the court of public opinion can create uncertainty well beyond a single institution.
ARTnews also noted its corporate ownership, stating that it is part of Penske Media Corporation.
Sajet’s move to Milwaukee closes one chapter while opening another, placing her at the helm of a major Midwestern museum as the sector continues to navigate heightened attention to leadership, accountability, and the public visibility of internal decisions.
