Anthea Hartig, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, struggled to answer basic questions about sex and gender when questioned by Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace during a House hearing. The hearing focused on allegations of "extreme political activism" in the Smithsonian's exhibits, with Mace pressing Hartig on whether men can become women. The exchange has drawn attention as part of a wider Republican push to scrutinise the Smithsonian Institution's approach to gender and identity in its displays.

Mace, a Republican representative for South Carolina, directly asked Hartig, "Do you believe that men can become women?", to which Hartig reportedly hesitated and appeared unable to give a clear answer. The clip has circulated as an example of what Republican critics describe as ideological bias within the federally funded museum. The full exchange formed part of broader questioning by House Republicans into the Smithsonian's exhibits and institutional stance on gender-related issues.