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Exclusive: Artist Amy Sherald canceled her exhibit, featuring portraits of trans freedom statues at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery after Vice President J.D. Vance was concerned about the show.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March. This led him to oversee programs or exhibitions at the Smithsonian Museum, overseeing an exhibition that “sharing American values, dividing Americans based on race, or promoting programs and ideologies that contradict federal law and policies.”
Vance said Sherald’s “American Sublime” exhibit violated Trump’s executive order and was an example of awakening and divisive content during the June 9 meeting.
After the museum attempts to change the trance statue in a free painting, the artist draws art from the Smithsonian Gallery
Alewa Basitt stands in front of Amy Sherald’s painting, “Transforming Liberty” is on display at the Whitney American Art Museum in Manhattan, New York on April 2, 2025 (Tiffany Sage/BFA/Shutterstock)
“Vice President Vance has led efforts to eliminate the indoctrination of Awakening from our beloved Smithsonian Museum,” administration officials said in an email to Fox News Digital. “In addition to rocking one big beautiful bill through the Senate, by helping President Trump navigate the international crisis, the Vice President demonstrated his ability to win President Trump’s priorities across the finish line.”
Sherald, best known for painting the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2018, announced Thursday that she was pulling the show “American Sublime” from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery scheduled for September, the New York Times first reported.
Sherald said he has withdrawn his work from the exhibition after being told that there are some concerns during the show about the National Portrait Gallery feature portraits of transgender Liberty statues. The painting “Transform Liberty” depicts a trans woman with pink hair wearing a blue gown.
Trump White House calls for Smithsonian by pushing “one-sided, divisive political tales”
Amy Sherald took part in the 2023 Tribecaball at the New York Academy of Art in New York City on April 4, 2023. (Santiago Felipe/Contributor)
“These concerns led to discussions about removing works from the exhibition,” Shellard said in a statement, the New York Times first reported Thursday. “While no one person is held responsible, it is clear that the institutional fear shaped by the broader climate of political hostility towards trans life played a role.
“This painting exists to preserve space for those who are politicized and ignored by humans. I cannot adhere to a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities.
“Silence is not an option when trans people are opposed, silenced and in danger in our country,” Shellard added. “I stand by my work. I stand by my sitter. I stand by the truth that all people deserve to be seen. Not only in life, but in art.”
The Smithsonian did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding his involvement in Vance’s issues.
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President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance after a ceremony with the 2025 National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes on the White House South Lawn on April 14, 2025.
The White House said the removal of Sherald’s exhibits was a “principle and necessary step” to cultivate unity institutions like the Smithsonian.
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The painting of “Transforming Liberty” attempted to reinterpret one of the sacred symbols in our country through the sacred lens of our country. This has fundamentally wandered through the mission and spirit of our National Museum,” Trump’s special assistant Lindsay Harrigan said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“The Statue of Liberty is not an abstract canvas for political expression. It is a respected and silly symbol of freedom, inspiration, and national unity that defines the American spirit.”
Other members of the Smithsonian Committee include US Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, Senator John Boosman and R-Ark. Catherine Cortez Mast, D-Nev. Gary Peters, D-Mich. , several other House members.
Gabriel Hays of Fox News contributed to this report.
Diana Stancy is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the White House.
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