The Most Messed Up Presidential Moments

By Editorial Staff in News On 10th January 2017

Being the President of the United States of America is not an easy job. You’re under constant scrutiny from not just the country you lead, but also the world. Of course, this makes it tremendously difficult to hide any sort of gaffe, guffaw, or even moments of splendor, such as these 10 greatest presidential moments in American history. We've also added presidential candidates and nominees, so be ready to laugh at those we elect to office.

#1 Ford Down!

He fell so often that Chevy Chase built his career on SNL impersonating him. A world leader should have grace and style, especially in those very public moments; but sometimes mother nature aims to work against your ability to do even the simplest of things, like walk down stairs. After landing in Austria in 1975, President Gerald Ford was making his way down the stairs from the plane and, at about part of the way down, tumbled to the ground before being picked up by guards. While the incident is amusing, especially watching him stand back up as if nothing had ever happened, what makes this so funny is that it seemed to mark a long string of stumbles that earned Ford the reputation of a klutz. The guy was falling everywhere, yet nobody questioned his health as they would today.

#2 Fooling Bush

Nobody could fool George W. Bush. At least not twice. During a 2002 speech at a Pledge Across American event, lovable 43rd president George Dubya Bush decided to pass along his own bit of wisdom, as skewed and fumbled as it sounded. But leave it to Bush to muck it all up. We've all heard the saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, like white on rice. No, wait, that doesn't sound right. Fool me once bitten, twice shy? Ugh, I can't remember it. The saying, of course, is "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." But Bush never was able to live the ten-minute struggle to quote the old saying down and it was played jokingly at his dedication for his library.

#3 Bernie’s Birdcall

Maybe in the democratic National Committee had listened to this little birdie, then Bernie would have won the nomination and the presidency. During a 2016 rally at the Moda Center in Portland, Sanders was in the middle of discussing education when a tiny feathered visitor drew an ecstatic reaction from his supporters. Bernie was just going to keep rolling with his flow until the audience erupted in laughter as the bird came closer and closer to the candidate. Just as Bernie took notice to his newest supporter, the House Finch flew up onto the podium where it perched for a moment before flying off. The crowd went wild, memes were created, a hashtag was born, and Bernie would go down not as the 45th president of the United States, but as Birdie Sanders.

#4 Al Gore And The Internet

He never said he invented the internet, but that's what gaffe he is known for. In March of 1999, all eyes were on Al Gore who, during an interview on CNN's "Late Edition" with Wolf Blitzer, claimed he "took the initiative in creating the internet." Was Gore really stepping forward as the brain trust within the United States Congress that brought the internet to life? Much of the country thought so, creating a frenzy within the media surrounding the 2000 Democratic nominee. If you dissect his words, which most of the media failed to do, what you'll likely realize is that he wasn't touting himself as the inventor of the internet, but rather an important part in initiating the implementation of it, which he was, though more careful wording could have avoided the insanity. He was mimicked for years after that as claiming to invent the entire world wide web.

#5 Clinton’s Big Debut

We have to admit that Bill Clinton was in touch with most of the people, including the young and hip young folks. When running for President of the United States, you want to make a big impression on the people that aim to vote you into office. Even more-so, you want to show the people working against you just how cool of a guy you are. Cue presidential candidate Bill Clinton's appearance on an episode of the Arsenio Hall Show in 1992. The performance was interesting, to say the least, and maybe not the first choice of things we'd have done after literally just clinching the Democratic nomination. Then again, we probably aren't as cool as Clinton was back in his hay day.

#6 The Lust of President Carter

Today this is tame, as presidential hopefuls admit to wanting to grab women's naughty parts and grope young girls. However, you probably wouldn't expect to open the latest issue of Playboy and find a tell-all from a presidential candidate, but it has happened. In the November 1976 issue, which featured a spread of playmate Patti McGuire, Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter sat down with Robert Scheer. Despite the length and depth of the interview that Scheer conducted, American media really only latched on to one thing. When questioned on how the public views his religious beliefs, the presidential candidate somehow got onto the subject of sin, admitting that he's "looked on a lot of women with lust" and has "committed adultery in his heart many times." Definitely not a presidential legacy you want to be leaving behind, but thanks to Amazon, it's not too late to get your hands on that issue! But that's so lame considering it was the 70s when in 2017 you can see our new First Lady now in the buff in the magazine.

#7 Shoes for Bush

Poor Bush. As an American, nothing about this should be funny, but we're not perfect. During a press conference in Baghdad, an Iraqi reporter Muntadhar al-Zaidi stood up and threw both of his shoes at President Bush. While there was an undeniable rage focused into each throw, Bush's catlike reflexes are impressive, to say the least, and add a little comedic value to the entire event. It's tough to see, but it also looks like Dubya was smiling a little on his rebound. In Iraq, it is customary to throw shoes at someone you find dishonest and hateful. But it was funny looking back on the incident.

#8 Obama: Fly Slayer

During a 2009 interview with John Harwood on CNBC, Obama found himself pestered by a tenacious fly in mid-speech. It just would not leave him alone. He swatted at it and jerked, but that fly was determined to interfere with the interview. At several points, it even landed on his face. Being a man of power, there was no way he could let the winged infidel get away with its obnoxious buzzing, especially after ignoring POTUS' gentle swatting. But then the fly landed on President Obama's hand, and in one fell swoop he reached out and put an end to the pesky bug's life. PETA allegedly started receiving media inquiries on Obama's more murderous tendencies. In response, PETA writer Alisa Mullins wrote: "Human beings have a long way to go before they think before they act." Umm.. sure.

#9 Legalities According to Nixon

David Frost was known for getting to the nitty gritty and he did with President Nixon. Sometimes context can be the difference between making a valid point and sounding like a tyrannical maniac. Richard Nixon may have learned this lesson during his series of interviews with the British journalist David Frost. In response to Frost inquiring whether the president can cross legal boundaries in the interest of the nation, Nixon claimed, "When the president does it, that means it is not illegal." While it sounds like Nixon is enjoying crime sprees as President of the United States, what he was referring to was the president's ability to approve a motion that may otherwise violate certain laws, therefore making it legal in that instance. Maybe providing the explanation at the same time as the bold statement would have been a better option. He never lived the comment down, and of course was impeached, but he never meant it the way it was said.

#10 Bush Gets Handsy

OK, we admit it. There are so many gaffes by George W. Bush on this list because he really made so many that it's hard to pick just a few. He made one of his biggest mistakes at the G8 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2006. While meandering about, he passed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and, like an awkward frat boy, stopped to give her an awkward shoulder squeeze. The Chancellor's reaction was extremely telling as she flung her shoulders up to shake Bush and grimaced at the very inappropriate gesture. Bush, however, went on his merry way, likely none-the-wiser. Merkel later told reporters in Germany that she was totally disgusted by "that handy man."

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