John F. Kennedy’s Cigar Hoarding
JFK orchestrated a clever move before signing the Cuban trade embargo. In 1962, he ordered aide Pierre Salinger to purchase 1,200 Petit Upmann cigars just hours before making Cuban products illegal. Kennedy smoked these contraband cigars throughout his 1961-1963 presidency, enjoying the irony of his own policy. This sly maneuver reflected his style and defiance. The president’s personal stash lasted through his tragically short time in office.
