kelsey ables
@kelseyables.bsky.social
staff writer at the atlantic covering art + politics
pro museum wanderer | amateur 김밥 maker
[email protected] | signal: kables.48
pro museum wanderer | amateur 김밥 maker
[email protected] | signal: kables.48
NEWS: The White House is following through on plans to place signs outside the Smithsonian's American History Museum accusing it of partisan bias. They're prepping about a dozen signs, costing around $84,000, per DOI. More:
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Trump’s Warning Signs Are Coming to the Smithsonian
In a letter, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said that visitors “should know” about a museum director’s ideological bias.
www.theatlantic.com
September 15, 2026 at 11:42 PM
NEWS: The White House is following through on plans to place signs outside the Smithsonian's American History Museum accusing it of partisan bias. They're prepping about a dozen signs, costing around $84,000, per DOI. More:
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by kelsey ables
NEWS: @kelseyables.bsky.social learned details about the Trump administration's plans to add signs in front of a Smithsonian museum. www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Trump’s Warning Signs Are Coming to the Smithsonian
In a letter, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said that visitors “should know” about a museum director’s ideological bias.
www.theatlantic.com
September 15, 2026 at 11:23 PM
NEWS: @kelseyables.bsky.social learned details about the Trump administration's plans to add signs in front of a Smithsonian museum. www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by kelsey ables
Exclusive: The Trump administration plans to follow through with threats to post signs outside of the National Museum of American History shaming the Smithsonian, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports:
Trump’s Warning Signs Are Coming to the Smithsonian
In a letter, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said that visitors “should know” about a museum director’s ideological bias.
bit.ly
September 15, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Exclusive: The Trump administration plans to follow through with threats to post signs outside of the National Museum of American History shaming the Smithsonian, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports:
Reposted by kelsey ables
Donald Trump’s pressure campaign on museums in Washington, D.C., reveals that the president has a particular taste in art, @kelseyables.bsky.social writes.
Why Does Donald Trump Hate This Sculpture?
The president wants the Smithsonian to add a colossal George Washington statue—and remove another work of abstract art in D.C.
bit.ly
September 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Donald Trump’s pressure campaign on museums in Washington, D.C., reveals that the president has a particular taste in art, @kelseyables.bsky.social writes.
Reposted by kelsey ables
Breaking: Lonnie Bunch, the head of the Smithsonian Institution, is stepping down, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports. His departure comes amid months of clashes with the White House. theatln.tc/dsj0a0g9
September 8, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Breaking: Lonnie Bunch, the head of the Smithsonian Institution, is stepping down, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports. His departure comes amid months of clashes with the White House. theatln.tc/dsj0a0g9
Reposted by kelsey ables
For more than a year, the White House has threatened and criticized the Smithsonian—but going after museums may not be the base-galvanizing issue Trump thinks it is, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.
One Problem With Attacking the Smithsonian? Americans Like It.
Coming after a history museum may not be the base-galvanizing issue Trump thinks it is.
bit.ly
August 4, 2026 at 8:30 PM
For more than a year, the White House has threatened and criticized the Smithsonian—but going after museums may not be the base-galvanizing issue Trump thinks it is, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.
Reposted by kelsey ables
Donald Trump's executive order to place signs outside the Smithsonian “reflects only the limitations of the Trump administration’s power in this instance, as well as a weakness in its campaign to seize the American story,” @kelseyables.bsky.social argues:
Trump’s Trigger Warnings
The president is ordering new signs outside the Smithsonian to warn Americans about history.
bit.ly
July 25, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Donald Trump's executive order to place signs outside the Smithsonian “reflects only the limitations of the Trump administration’s power in this instance, as well as a weakness in its campaign to seize the American story,” @kelseyables.bsky.social argues:
Reposted by kelsey ables
The Smithsonian Institution’s committee hearings were meant only to widen Donald Trump’s attack on the museum "by enlisting Congress in his efforts to reshape public memory," @kelseyables.bsky.social argues.
The Smithsonian’s Show Trial on Capitol Hill
Republicans grilled a museum head, intensifying Donald Trump’s campaign to reshape the American story.
bit.ly
July 23, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The Smithsonian Institution’s committee hearings were meant only to widen Donald Trump’s attack on the museum "by enlisting Congress in his efforts to reshape public memory," @kelseyables.bsky.social argues.
Reposted by kelsey ables
The White House has signaled that it may be coming for the Smithsonian. But the museum complex’s unusual status has helped preserve its independence from Donald Trump, Kelsey Ables reports.
How the Smithsonian Could Fall
A president cracking down on museums is unusual—but so are the museums.
bit.ly
July 17, 2026 at 1:45 AM
The White House has signaled that it may be coming for the Smithsonian. But the museum complex’s unusual status has helped preserve its independence from Donald Trump, Kelsey Ables reports.
Reposted by kelsey ables
How the Smithsonian could fall — and why it's almost (but not quite) president-proof. From @kelseyables.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
How the Smithsonian Could Fall
A president cracking down on museums is unusual—but so are the museums.
www.theatlantic.com
July 16, 2026 at 2:15 PM
How the Smithsonian could fall — and why it's almost (but not quite) president-proof. From @kelseyables.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by kelsey ables
A new White House report details what the Trump administration wants to change within the National Museum of American History—and suggests that a Smithsonian crackdown could be coming, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.
Trump Comes for the American History Museum
A White House report details what the administration wants to change in the Smithsonian—and suggests that a crackdown could be coming.
bit.ly
July 7, 2026 at 5:45 PM
A new White House report details what the Trump administration wants to change within the National Museum of American History—and suggests that a Smithsonian crackdown could be coming, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.
Reposted by kelsey ables
A White House report suggests that a crackdown on the Smithsonian could be coming.
@kelseyables.bsky.social has the story: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
@kelseyables.bsky.social has the story: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
A Huge Escalation in Trump's Smithsonian Meddling
A White House report details what the administration wants to change in museums—and suggests that a crackdown could be coming.
www.theatlantic.com
July 7, 2026 at 2:31 AM
A White House report suggests that a crackdown on the Smithsonian could be coming.
@kelseyables.bsky.social has the story: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
@kelseyables.bsky.social has the story: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by kelsey ables
The Trump administration has been clear about what it doesn’t like in museums. With “Freedom Trucks”—a fleet of mobile exhibitions—the White House has been able to take its preferred version of the American story on the road, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.
Here Come Trump’s ‘Freedom Trucks’
A fleet of mobile museums is touring the country with a version of American history the administration can get behind.
bit.ly
June 27, 2026 at 2:55 PM
The Trump administration has been clear about what it doesn’t like in museums. With “Freedom Trucks”—a fleet of mobile exhibitions—the White House has been able to take its preferred version of the American story on the road, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.
Reposted by kelsey ables
“If images today have a way of eating up time, keeping our fingers scrolling, Hockney’s works might be said to give it back.” Kelsey Ables on the late artist’s ability to reclaim life’s passing moments:
The David Hockney Painting That Makes You Look, and Then Look Again
The tireless artist, who died this week, understood how to slow down time.
bit.ly
June 13, 2026 at 1:45 PM
“If images today have a way of eating up time, keeping our fingers scrolling, Hockney’s works might be said to give it back.” Kelsey Ables on the late artist’s ability to reclaim life’s passing moments:
Reposted by kelsey ables
The new Obama Presidential Center, in Chicago, is inspiring—but departs from other presidential libraries in a crucial, and risky, way, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.
Obama Writes His Own Story
The new Obama Presidential Center, in Chicago, is inspiring—and departs from other presidential libraries in a crucial, and risky, way.
bit.ly
June 9, 2026 at 8:12 PM
The new Obama Presidential Center, in Chicago, is inspiring—but departs from other presidential libraries in a crucial, and risky, way, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.
Reposted by kelsey ables
The Women’s History Museum seemed to be a rare cause almost everyone could get behind—but new challenges to its construction and content demonstrate that nothing is safe from Trump’s culture war, @kelseyables.bsky.social argues:
How Trump’s Culture War Derailed a New Smithsonian Museum
Republicans wanted to narrow the scope of the Women’s History Museum and give the president power over its location. The attempt failed.
bit.ly
May 22, 2026 at 11:47 PM
The Women’s History Museum seemed to be a rare cause almost everyone could get behind—but new challenges to its construction and content demonstrate that nothing is safe from Trump’s culture war, @kelseyables.bsky.social argues:
Reposted by kelsey ables
The Women’s History Museum seemed to be a rare cause almost everyone could get behind—but new challenges to its construction demonstrate that nothing is safe from Trump’s culture war, @kelseyables.bsky.social argues:
How Trump’s Culture War Derailed a New Smithsonian Museum
Republicans wanted to narrow the scope of the Women’s History Museum and give the president power over its location. The attempt failed.
bit.ly
May 22, 2026 at 8:43 PM
The Women’s History Museum seemed to be a rare cause almost everyone could get behind—but new challenges to its construction demonstrate that nothing is safe from Trump’s culture war, @kelseyables.bsky.social argues:
The Women’s History Museum is caught in legislative purgatory after House Republicans, with White House "assistance," amended a bill to bar the new Smithsonian from including trans women and give Trump final say on its location.
My latest @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
My latest @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
How Trump’s Culture War Derailed a New Smithsonian Museum
Republicans wanted to narrow the scope of the Women’s History Museum and give the president power over its location. The attempt failed.
www.theatlantic.com
May 22, 2026 at 6:58 PM
The Women’s History Museum is caught in legislative purgatory after House Republicans, with White House "assistance," amended a bill to bar the new Smithsonian from including trans women and give Trump final say on its location.
My latest @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
My latest @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by kelsey ables
Really fascinating to watch artistic institutions try to thread this needle... An important piece by @kelseyables.bsky.social:
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
A Cautious New Approach to Trump’s Impeachments at the Smithsonian
The National Portrait Gallery reopened its presidents exhibit—but kept some details low-key.
www.theatlantic.com
May 15, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Really fascinating to watch artistic institutions try to thread this needle... An important piece by @kelseyables.bsky.social:
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by kelsey ables
A cautious new approach to Trump's impeachments at the Smithsonian: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
A Cautious New Approach to Trump’s Impeachments at the Smithsonian
The National Portrait Gallery reopened its presidents exhibit—but kept some details low-key.
www.theatlantic.com
May 15, 2026 at 2:33 PM
A cautious new approach to Trump's impeachments at the Smithsonian: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by kelsey ables
The Alma Allen exhibit at the Venice Biennale -- an example of what @skornhaber.bsky.social calls "pariah-state minimalism" -- barely leaves an impression at all: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
A Very Pretentious Form of Propaganda
The United States tried to swerve away from politics at this year’s Venice Biennale and ended up saying nothing at all.
www.theatlantic.com
May 14, 2026 at 1:29 PM
The Alma Allen exhibit at the Venice Biennale -- an example of what @skornhaber.bsky.social calls "pariah-state minimalism" -- barely leaves an impression at all: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by kelsey ables
Some pretty excellent news! www.theatlantic.com/press-releas...
The Atlantic Hires Kelsey Ables, Janay Kingsberry, Will Oremus, and Matt Viser as Staff Writers
None
www.theatlantic.com
March 30, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Some pretty excellent news! www.theatlantic.com/press-releas...
As a longtime reader and admirer of @TheAtlantic, I’m so excited to join the team!
I’ll continue writing on art and politics and how the current administration is reshaping cultural institutions, in addition to exploring my interests in museums, architecture, and design.
I’ll continue writing on art and politics and how the current administration is reshaping cultural institutions, in addition to exploring my interests in museums, architecture, and design.
We are announcing four new staff writers joining The Atlantic: @kelseyables.bsky.social, @janaykingsberry.bsky.social, @willoremus.com, and Matt Viser. More info here: www.theatlantic.com/press-releas...
The Atlantic Hires Kelsey Ables, Janay Kingsberry, Will Oremus, and Matt Viser as Staff Writers
None
www.theatlantic.com
April 1, 2026 at 1:05 AM
As a longtime reader and admirer of @TheAtlantic, I’m so excited to join the team!
I’ll continue writing on art and politics and how the current administration is reshaping cultural institutions, in addition to exploring my interests in museums, architecture, and design.
I’ll continue writing on art and politics and how the current administration is reshaping cultural institutions, in addition to exploring my interests in museums, architecture, and design.
Reposted by kelsey ables
The National Historic Preservation Act doesn't mandate preservation—but journalism can.
Learn how @timothynoah.bsky.social and fellow reporters (@kelseyables.bsky.social and others) are holding powerbrokers accountable for our New Deal heritage. trib.al/BugeuQy
Learn how @timothynoah.bsky.social and fellow reporters (@kelseyables.bsky.social and others) are holding powerbrokers accountable for our New Deal heritage. trib.al/BugeuQy
Preservation in Action
Journalism & the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building - hear from those reporting on its uncertain future & what’s at stake for historic sites.
trib.al
March 20, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The National Historic Preservation Act doesn't mandate preservation—but journalism can.
Learn how @timothynoah.bsky.social and fellow reporters (@kelseyables.bsky.social and others) are holding powerbrokers accountable for our New Deal heritage. trib.al/BugeuQy
Learn how @timothynoah.bsky.social and fellow reporters (@kelseyables.bsky.social and others) are holding powerbrokers accountable for our New Deal heritage. trib.al/BugeuQy
Reposted by kelsey ables
"Cultural institutions have long had space on their walls for political leaders and wealthy patrons, but in the Cohen Building murals, it's ordinary American workers that star."
@kelseyables.bsky.social
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
@kelseyables.bsky.social
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
The stunning art trove hidden in a D.C. building marked by Trump for disposal
Packed with frescoes, paintings and reliefs, the federal government’s Cohen Building has been called “the Sistine Chapel of the New Deal.” Advocates fear these works could be at risk.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:42 PM
"Cultural institutions have long had space on their walls for political leaders and wealthy patrons, but in the Cohen Building murals, it's ordinary American workers that star."
@kelseyables.bsky.social
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
@kelseyables.bsky.social
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...