Smithsonian America 250 exhibit features 3x more liberal items than conservative ones

A Smithsonian exhibit designed to commemorate America’s 250th birthday displays numerous objects linked to key points in the nation’s history, though it provides relatively little representation of Christianity or conservatism despite ample coverage for LGBT rights and racial justice movements, among other liberal causes, a Fox News Digital review of the exhibit's online catalog found.In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness is an exhibit curated by the Smithsonian Institution with the aim of displaying 250 objects that help to tell the story of America from the 1700s to the present. Among these objects are historically significant items, such as a compass from the 1806 Lewis and Clark expedition, a dress belonging to Dolly Madison, Abraham Lincoln’s hat and the desk the Declaration of Independence was written on.Also included in the exhibit, according to an online catalog published by the Smithsonian, are a number of objects with clear ties to modern liberal politics, such as a pink "p-ssy hat" worn by a participant of the 2017 Women's March, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s gavel, monarch butterfly wings worn by an illegal immigrant activist and a typewriter belonging to liberal writer Maya Angelou.Next to Angelou’s typewriter is a picture of a 1970s drag queen "wearing an off-the-shoulder shimmery gown," according to a visual description of the exhibit published by the Smithsonian.TRUMP ORDERS SIGNS OUTSIDE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM AMID ROW OVER ITS DEPICTION OF AMERICAN HISTORYThe exhibit’s selections are drawing scrutiny as President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans challenge the Smithsonian’s portrayal of American history around the nation’s 250th anniversary.Fox News Digital reviewed the Smithsonian’s online catalog and grouped objects according to the movements, causes and institutions identified in the museum’s descriptions, finding seven tied to conservative movements, compared with nearly two dozen tied to causes including LGBT rights, abortion access, racial justice, organized labor and Democratic politics.The apparent domination of liberal causes in an exhibit designed to celebrate the contributions of all Americans to the nation's history could further inflame conservative criticisms of the museum.While the exhibit examines how left-of-center individuals and movements shaped American history, conservatives have less representation.Just seven items representing conservative movements — a MAGA hat, a Tea Party placard, a pro-life sign, a dress worn by Melania Trump, a sign opposing the feminist-backed Equal Rights Amendment, a Ronald Reagan campaign T-shirt and a National Rifle Association button — are presented by the Smithsonian, according to its online catalog.By comparison, the same catalog shows that liberal causes — such as LGBT rights, farm-worker rights, abortion access, racial justice, environmentalism, labor unions and the Democratic Party — collectively have nearly two dozen items representing them.THE WAR ON AMERICA’S JUDEO-CHRISTIAN ROOTS THREATENS EVERYTHING WE SHAREAmong those, the Smithsonian chose four total items representing the gay rights movement, for example.
Reported by 1 outlet — Fox News Latest. See all sources ↓
The Smithsonian opened an exhibit called "In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness" to mark America's 250th birthday. A review by Fox News Digital found that the exhibit contains about three times as many items linked to liberal causes as to conservative ones. Liberal causes highlighted include LGBT rights and racial justice movements. The exhibit shows fewer objects related to Christianity or traditional conservatism.
Why it matters
The way a national museum presents history can shape public understanding of the country's past. Some viewers worry that an imbalance may reflect bias in the storytelling.
- What is the name of the Smithsonian exhibit?
- It is called "In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness".
- According to Fox News, how does the number of liberal items compare to conservative items?
- The exhibit has about three times more liberal items than conservative ones.
- Which topics are mentioned as being well represented in the exhibit?
- LGBT rights and racial justice movements are highlighted.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
Since only one outlet was provided, all outlets frame the story the same way.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Smithsonian America 250 exhibit features 3x more liberal items than conservative ones
Sources1TypeCoverageFox News Latest