The Weirdest US Presidents of All Time: White House Quirks That History Class Never Mentioned

Chuvic - March 22, 2025

History class never told us that John Quincy Adams conducted interviews while swimming naked or that LBJ held meetings from the toilet. Yet these strange presidential habits reveal more about our leaders than most official biographies. Across nearly 250 years of American history, the most powerful people in the nation have harbored peculiar obsessions, unusual pets, and downright weird daily rituals. This collection of 37 presidential oddities strips away the formal portraits to show the truly human (and often bizarre) individuals who’ve occupied the Oval Office.

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John Quincy Adams’ Skinny-Dipping Ritual

The 6th president had a morning habit that would shock today’s politicians. He swam naked in the Potomac River at 5 a.m. every day, believing cold water gave him energy for presidential duties. His routine led to an unconventional press moment when journalist Anne Royall sat on his clothes, refusing to return them until he granted her an interview. Talk about awkward negotiations! Adams continued this practice even after leaving office.

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Calvin Coolidge’s Petroleum Jelly Obsession

Few know about “Silent Cal” and his unusual morning ritual. While eating breakfast, he made White House aides rub petroleum jelly on his head. The 30th president never fully explained this habit, but apparently thought it helped his sinus problems. His staff found it strange but followed orders without question. The daily greasing continued throughout his presidency, adding a slick chapter to White House history.

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Andrew Jackson’s Foul-Mouthed Parrot

Old Hickory owned a parrot named Poll who learned to swear so colorfully that handlers removed the bird from Jackson’s funeral. The parrot had picked up Jackson’s own heated language during White House years. Mourners gasped as Poll squawked expletives during the 1845 service. No one recorded what happened to the bird afterward, but its vocal performance gave Jackson a memorable send-off that matched his fiery personality.

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Herbert Hoover’s Alligator Family

The Great Depression wasn’t the only wild thing during Hoover’s presidency. His son Allan kept two pet alligators named Billy and Reuben that occasionally escaped their bathtub home. The reptiles sometimes sunned themselves near the Rose Garden, causing chaos among unsuspecting visitors and staff. Diplomats once found them lounging on the lawn. The growing gators eventually moved to a zoo when they became too large for White House life.

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Thomas Jefferson’s Grizzly Bears

The author of the Declaration of Independence briefly housed two grizzly bear cubs on the White House lawn. Jefferson received these unusual pets as gifts from explorer Zebulon Pike in 1807. Visitors to the executive mansion watched the caged cubs with fascination as they munched on food scraps. The president studied their behavior before donating them to Charles Willson Peale’s Philadelphia museum when they grew too dangerous.

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Lyndon B. Johnson’s Bathroom Interviews

LBJ took multitasking to inappropriate levels. He regularly conducted meetings while using the toilet, shocking staff members and reporters alike. The president summoned aides to discuss important policy matters mid-flush in the White House bathroom. Notable journalist Doris Kearns Goodwin documented this behavior. Johnson used this crude tactic to assert dominance over others. His lack of boundaries became legendary among those who worked with him.

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Richard Nixon’s Ketchup Cottage Cheese

Nixon’s strange food preference raised eyebrows among White House kitchen staff. The 37th president regularly ate cottage cheese covered in ketchup, requesting this odd combination almost daily. He even ordered it on Air Force One during his presidency from 1969 to 1974. Some staff members connected this unusual taste to his frugal upbringing during the Depression. Nixon never offered an explanation for this peculiar culinary choice.

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Benjamin Harrison’s Goat Cart

The 23rd president kept an unusual pet that entertained his grandchildren. Old Whiskers, Harrison’s pet goat, pulled the presidential grandkids around the White House grounds in a small cart. The goat once escaped and fled down Pennsylvania Avenue with Harrison chasing behind, frantically waving his cane. Neighbors watched in amazement as the president pursued his runaway pet. Old Whiskers became a beloved White House character during Harrison’s term.

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Theodore Roosevelt’s Boxing Matches

Teddy’s love for physical combat didn’t stop when he reached the presidency. He regularly boxed in the White House until a naval officer’s punch permanently blinded him in one eye during a 1908 match. The injury didn’t diminish his enthusiasm for combat sports. He simply switched to judo and wrestling instead. Roosevelt hosted fighting matches in the East Room, maintaining his Rough Rider image despite the personal cost.

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William Howard Taft’s Bathtub Woes

The heaviest president in history weighed over 300 pounds and reportedly got stuck in the White House bathtub. This embarrassing incident led to the installation of a custom tub large enough for four average-sized men. Taft publicly denied the story, but White House staff ordered the massive replacement from a New York manufacturer. Workers noticed the floors creaked under his weight. The oversized tub became a symbol of his imposing physical presence.

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Martin Van Buren’s Soot Cocktail

The 8th president treated stomach pain with a bizarre home remedy. Van Buren drank a mixture of water, soot, and charcoal recommended by his doctor during his 1837-1841 term. He claimed this gritty concoction actually worked to settle his digestive issues. His aides watched with concern as he gulped down the black liquid. This strange medical treatment contrasted sharply with Van Buren’s otherwise sophisticated “Little Magician” public image.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Stamp Collecting

FDR found escape from world war and economic depression through his impressive stamp collection. He amassed over a million stamps by his death in 1945, spending hours organizing them late at night. The hobby began in his childhood and continued throughout his presidency. Roosevelt often retreated to his private study with tweezers in hand to arrange his philatelic treasures. This quiet pastime provided rare moments of peace during global turmoil.

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Rutherford B. Hayes’ Siamese Cat

The first Siamese cat in America lived in the White House during Hayes’ presidency. His wife Lucy received this exotic pet as a gift from a Bangkok diplomat in 1878. Named Siam, the blue-eyed feline slept on velvet cushions and hunted mice throughout the executive mansion. The presidential pet died after just one year, leaving Lucy heartbroken. This rare cat started a tradition of feline companions in the White House.

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James Garfield’s Ambidextrous Trick

The 20th president impressed dinner guests with an unusual talent. Garfield could simultaneously write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other. He performed this scholarly feat at White House gatherings during his brief 1881 presidency before an assassin’s bullet ended his term. A former teacher with expertise in multiple languages, Garfield enjoyed demonstrating his intellectual prowess through this unique ability. His parlor trick combined nerdiness with showmanship.

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Gerald Ford’s Modeling Days

Before entering politics, Ford posed as a fashion model for Cosmopolitan magazine. In 1942, he appeared in a winter-themed photoshoot with his girlfriend Phyllis Brown, sporting stylish sweaters and his trademark grin. These images resurfaced during his 1974-1977 presidency, surprising Americans who knew him primarily for his occasional clumsiness. The photos revealed an unexpected chapter in Ford’s life before he became the only unelected president in U.S. history.

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Woodrow Wilson’s Golf Addiction

Wilson played golf obsessively throughout his presidency, logging over 1,000 rounds between 1913 and 1921. Winter weather couldn’t stop him—he painted his golf balls black to play in snow. His caddie reported that Wilson would swing through blizzards with these specially prepared dark balls. He frequently sneaked away to the Army-Navy Country Club to escape the pressures of World War I and his failing League of Nations dream.

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Ronald Reagan’s Chimpanzee Scare

While filming “Bedtime for Bonzo” in 1951, Reagan nearly met disaster when his chimp co-star attacked him. The animal grabbed Reagan’s tie and yanked it like a toy, almost strangling the future president. Reagan later joked about this incident during his 1981-1989 presidency, calling it his closest brush with Hollywood danger. The chimp received better reviews than Reagan in the film. This bizarre encounter followed him throughout his political career.

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Abraham Lincoln’s Hat Storage

The 16th president used his iconic stovepipe hat as more than just headwear. Lincoln tucked important letters and documents inside the hat’s lining, creating a portable filing system. During his 1861-1865 term, he would surprise aides by pulling crumpled papers from his headgear mid-conversation. The custom-made hat fit his unusually large 7⅜-inch head. This practical solution showcased Lincoln’s resourcefulness during his challenging presidency.

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Grover Cleveland’s Tumor Keepsake

Cleveland underwent a secret cancer surgery that’s still preserved in a museum today. In 1893, doctors performed the operation on a yacht to hide it from the public during an economic crisis. They removed a tumor from his mouth along with part of his jaw, replacing it with rubber. The specimen now sits in Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum. Cleveland recovered quickly and continued smoking cigars despite his ordeal.

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Herbert Hoover’s Made-Up Sport

Hoover stayed fit through a strange game invented by his physician. “Hooverball” combined elements of tennis and volleyball, played with a six-pound medicine ball on a White House court. Cabinet members reluctantly joined these sweaty sessions from 1929 to 1933, tossing the heavy ball over a net while still wearing suits. The unusual sport lives on at Hoover’s Iowa birthplace today. Players still grunt through matches in his honor.

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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.

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Bill Clinton’s McDonald’s Jog

Clinton regularly frustrated his security detail with fast food detours during morning runs. From 1993 to 2001, he would suddenly veer toward McDonald’s mid-jog in Little Rock or Washington, D.C., grabbing fries and breakfast sandwiches. Secret Service agents struggled to keep up as he waved to surprised customers. Clinton’s sweat-soaked visits became a trademark of his presidency. This habit perfectly captured his folksy charm and famous appetite.

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George H.W. Bush’s Alligator Childhood

The 41st president kept pet alligators as a boy, starting a family tradition. Young George tended to the reptiles in a backyard tank at his Texas estate during the 1930s. Decades later, he was amused when his son Allan revived the practice during Herbert Hoover’s presidency in 1929. The unusual Bush family pet preference spans two generations. This reptilian connection provides an unexpected link between two presidential families.

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Andrew Johnson’s Tailoring Habit

The 17th president continued making his own clothes while in office. During his 1865-1869 term, Johnson would unwind by stitching suits in the White House, a skill from his earlier career as a tailor. Staff members discovered bolts of fabric in his private quarters. This humble practice reflected his rise from poverty to power. Johnson found comfort in this familiar craft while facing the monumental challenges of post-Civil War reconstruction.

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James Polk’s Party Ban

The White House became a dull place during Polk’s administration. From 1845 to 1849, he and his wife enforced strict Presbyterian values by prohibiting dancing, card games, and alcohol at all executive mansion events. Their receptions featured hymns instead of festivities. Guests complained about the gloomy atmosphere, missing the liveliness of previous administrations. This austere approach matched Polk’s serious, workaholic presidency that expanded American territory.

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Harry S. Truman’s Bourbon Breakfast

Truman started some days with an unconventional morning ritual. The 33rd president would take a shot of Old Grand-Dad bourbon at 7 a.m., followed by a brisk walk. During his 1945-1953 term, he claimed this morning alcohol “got the engine going” for a day of Cold War decision-making. His wife Bess disapproved of this habit. Truman would ignore her concerns, donning his fedora before striding out to face presidential duties.

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Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Painting Passion

After leaving office in 1961, Ike developed an unexpected artistic side. The former general created over 250 paintings despite modestly claiming no real talent. He set up an easel at his Gettysburg farm and copied landscapes from photographs. Eisenhower distributed his artwork to friends, brushing off compliments with characteristic humility. This gentler pursuit softened the public image of the stern military man who had commanded Allied forces.

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Ulysses S. Grant’s Title Quirks

The Civil War general turned president never called people by their actual names. During his 1869-1877 administration, Grant addressed everyone by their titles—”General,” “Senator,” or “Captain”—confusing many White House visitors. This habit stemmed from his military background. Staff members adapted to this formality, but guests found it odd coming from such a plainspoken man. Grant maintained this practice as a way of imposing order on his chaotic presidency.

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Warren G. Harding’s Poker Nights

Harding hosted wild card games in a smoke-filled White House study. During his 1921-1923 term, he gathered cronies for poker sessions fueled by illegal Prohibition whiskey. His gambling once went too far when he bet and lost White House china to a journalist, who kept the plates as souvenirs. These reckless games reflected the scandal-plagued nature of his brief presidency. Harding’s card table antics added to his reputation for poor judgment.

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Chester A. Arthur’s Late-Night Strolls

The 21st president escaped White House confinement through midnight walks. Arthur regularly wandered Washington streets until 2 or 3 a.m. during his 1881-1885 term. He would don his top hat and slip out to chat with strangers or visit local establishments. Early Secret Service predecessors worried about these unsecured outings. Arthur relished this freedom from his presidential responsibilities. These nocturnal adventures revealed the dandy’s rebellion against official constraints.

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Franklin Pierce’s Drunken Reputation

Pierce earned the nickname “Handsome Frank” partly due to his excessive drinking. During his 1853-1857 presidency, he often had whiskey in hand. His alcohol problem led to a hushed-up incident when he ran over a woman with his carriage in Washington. Local residents gossiped about his bleary-eyed rides through town. This vice contributed to his tragic, ineffective administration during the pre-Civil War period. Pierce’s presidency remains among the least successful.

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Zachary Taylor’s Horse Grazing

The 12th president treated the White House lawn as a pasture for his war horse. During Taylor’s brief 1849-1850 term, Old Whitey freely grazed on executive mansion grounds, delighting tourists who petted this veteran of the Mexican-American War. Staff complained about the mess, but “Old Rough and Ready” ignored their concerns. This unusual arrangement displayed Taylor’s continued connection to his military past while serving as commander-in-chief.

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Jimmy Carter’s UFO Sighting

Before becoming president, Carter reported seeing an unidentified flying object. The incident occurred in Leary, Georgia, in 1969, with several witnesses present. Carter described a glowing, shape-shifting object in the sky. He filed an official report with an astronomy group and later, during his 1977-1981 presidency, encouraged NASA to investigate extraterrestrial possibilities. This strange experience adds an unexpected dimension to his straightforward public persona.

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George Washington’s Mule Mania

Our first president obsessively bred mules at Mount Vernon. During the 1780s and 1790s, Washington crossbred Spanish donkeys with horses, producing over 50 mules for agricultural use. He praised their strength in correspondence and even sent some as gifts to European royalty. This practical passion reflected Washington’s interest in agricultural innovation. His mule breeding program demonstrated his forward-thinking approach to farming while leading a new nation.

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Conclusion

These presidential quirks do more than just entertain. They humanize the figures whose decisions shaped our nation. Behind Washington’s stern portrait was a man who obsessed over mule breeding. The imposing Teddy Roosevelt lost vision in one eye from a White House boxing match. And yes, that’s really a tumor from Grover Cleveland’s mouth preserved in a museum. These strange habits and stories remind us that American history isn’t just about policies and wars. It’s about complicated people with weird hobbies, unusual pets, and bizarre daily rituals.

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