President Donald Trump has unveiled a new White House portrait, days after firing Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, for her support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The portrait, which shows Trump in a blue suit coat, white shirt, and red tie, is displayed at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Sajet, who curated the previous Trump portrait, faced termination after Trump accused her of being a ‘strong supporter’ of DEI.
The unveiling of the new portrait was accompanied by a short video posted on social media by White House officials, showing the image being hung on the wall of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The previous portrait, which Trump took office for his second term, showed him in a blue suit coat, white shirt, and blue tie, with no expression. In contrast, the new portrait, which features a red tie, shows Trump in a similar pose, but with the same lack of expression.
Trump’s decision to dismiss Sajet comes amid ongoing controversy around the National Portrait Gallery’s leadership and its portrayal of historical figures, including Trump himself. The White House has stated that Sajet’s termination was due to her ‘strong support for DEI,’ which Trump deemed inappropriate for her position. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, ‘Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am hereby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery. She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position.’
According to a White House official, Sajet had donated $3,982 to Democrats, including the presidential campaigns of former President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. The White House also pointed to the gallery’s photo of Trump, which was curated by Sajet, captioned, ‘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.’ The caption’s language and tone have ignited yet another round of controversy, with critics arguing that it presents a biased portrayal of the former president.
While the new portrait and Sajet’s firing represent a significant shift in the Trump administration’s approach to cultural and political representation, the overall impact on public perception and institutional dynamics remains to be seen. The situation continues to draw attention as it reflects broader tensions surrounding the role of art and history in shaping national narratives and political discourse.