Fact check: Four US presidents rumored to like men. One, James Buchanan.

1. Summary of the results

The analyses reveal that the claim about four US presidents being rumored to like men has substantial historical documentation, though the exact number varies by source. One source specifically lists seven US Presidents who were rumored to be gay or bisexual ^[1], suggesting the original statement may actually underestimate the scope of such historical speculation.

James Buchanan emerges as the most consistently documented case across multiple sources. His close relationship with Senator William Rufus King has been the subject of 175 years of speculation ^{[2] [3]}. The Smithsonian analysis notes that their letters and social interactions provided evidence for romantic speculation, though it emphasizes that modern concepts of sexual orientation didn't exist during their lifetime ^[2].

Abraham Lincoln appears as another frequently mentioned president in these discussions. Recent scholarship, including the documentary "Lover of Men," presents arguments that Lincoln had intimate relationships with men, specifically citing his relationships with Joshua Speed and Elmer Ellsworth ^{[4] [5]}. One analysis explores how "love between men was not always problematic in the past" ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement significantly understates the historical scope of such speculation. A 2024 source identifies seven presidents with such rumors, not just four ^[1]. This suggests either the original claim is outdated or deliberately conservative in its count.

The analyses reveal important historical context missing from the original statement: the concept of sexual orientation as understood today did not exist during the lifetimes of these historical figures ^[2]. This means applying modern labels to historical relationships requires careful interpretation of available evidence.

Additionally, the sources suggest that tolerance for same-sex relationships may have existed historically in ways that differ from both past persecution and modern acceptance ^[6]. This nuanced view challenges both traditional historical narratives and contemporary assumptions about past attitudes.

The analyses also reveal that these discussions extend beyond presidents to other political figures, with one source mentioning Eleanor Roosevelt's rumored romance with reporter Lorena Hickok ^[7], indicating that speculation about same-sex relationships among political figures was not limited to male presidents.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement appears to undercount the actual scope of historical speculation, listing four presidents when sources document seven ^[1]. This could represent either outdated information or a deliberate minimization of the historical record.

The phrasing "rumored to like men" uses casual, potentially dismissive language that may trivialize serious historical scholarship. Multiple sources present documented evidence from letters, relationships, and historical records rather than mere gossip ^{[2] [4] [5]}.

The statement's brevity omits crucial historical context about how social norms and concepts of sexuality differed in past eras ^{[2] [6]}. This omission could lead to anachronistic interpretations of historical relationships.

By focusing only on the number and providing just one example, the statement fails to acknowledge the 175-year history of scholarly discussion surrounding these topics ^[2] and the recent emergence of serious academic work, including documentaries and historical analyses that treat these questions with scholarly rigor rather than speculation.