Fun & Famous
THE AMERICAN ELECTIONS FOR DUMMIES
Part 1: the biggest presidential scandals of all time
In case you haven't followed the news in the past six months (so you also missed this and this), the American elections are coming up. this and this After eight years, (a hugely grayed) Obama is leaving the White House and making way for someone new to hop aboard the fast train of aging. Will America get its first female president or will it be that toupee-wearing-orange-colored-says-it-like-it-is Trump after all? Okay, my apologies. I will try to be as unbiased as possible. But seriously, have you ever read this? Anyway, it’s the talk of the town. Not just in America, but all over the world, because however you slice it, America remains the world’s ultimate show pony.
Not that knowledgeable about the elections? No worries, you’re not the only one. But let’s keep it fun. So, before we fully immerse ourselves in the current battle for the throne, let’s dive into our time machine and line up the juiciest presidential scandals.
Bill Clinton & Monica Lewinsky
Of course, we start with the crème de la crème. “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” When you think of Bill, you think of this one-liner. It’s impressive that Bill thought he could really keep this hidden, but also understandable in an era when the internet wasn’t as big as it is now. Can you imagine if this had happened in 2016…
John F. Kennedy & Marilyn Monroe
Yes, another sex scandal that we will never forget. At least, whether these two ever ended up in bed together has never been proven, but enough people (and even a book) say that this was definitely the case. And Johnny didn’t just have eyes for the beautiful Marilyn… It makes sense that he is known as ‘l’enfant terrible’ of all presidents.
“Pfff, when can we expect a Hollywood movie about this man?”
Richard Nixon & Watergate
Not a sex scandal, but definitely one to never forget: Watergate. Quite a complex story centered around the planting of listening devices. After dozens of attempts to ensure that no one would find out that Nixon was involved, he, as the very first president ever, submitted his resignation. Something about karma biting you in the ass…
Ronald Reagan & Iran-Contra affair
Also known as the Irongate. In short: this affair revolved around secret arms deliveries to Iran. What did they do with this illegal income? It was used to finance the Contras. No idea who the Contras were? The Contras were the opponents of the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. An essential fact: in exchange for the weapons, the US wanted Hezbollah to release their hostages. Same story here, mega complex, but definitely worth diving into.
Dwight D. Eisenhower & $18.000
Eisenhower’s staff was rewarded very generously for all the hours they worked. So much so that an investigation was launched to see if all the money being spent actually belonged to them. What turned out? It was just the cash from taxes paid by residents of the US. Shame on you, Dwight.
madonna performance stage laughing
Still, let’s go back to Trump for a moment. He may not be president yet, and let’s hope he never will be (oh right, I said I wouldn’t be biased), but still, here are a few of his scandals: the beauty pageant scandals (sex, drugs, and the Donald as many call it), refusing to pay his employees and contractors, the alleged rape of Ivanka, going bankrupt not once but four times, his connections with the mafia… Pfff, when can we expect a Hollywood movie about this man?
Still, Francis Underwood for president, America? Or maybe #Kanye2020?
Written by Elke Wijnands
