George Washington: (Almost) Our First Zombie President

As a military general, Washington lost more battles than he won, obsessed over his salary, and launched a mission that exploded into an international war. So, naturally, he was cast as a hero and catapulted into the presidency. What could go wrong?  To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He arrived at the White House without experience or a clue… But that didn’t stop Grant from secretly doubling his salary and accepting extravagant gifts from Wall Street. Meanwhile, his administration extorted, bribed, and stole millions of tax dollars away from Americans living through a depression they basically caused. And still, people said a more honest, generous man never lived.  To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He pardoned a disgraced president, was nearly gunned down by a member of the Manson Family, and once taped a polarizing SNL introduction… And yet, Gerald Ford’s legacy is largely that of a nice guy — not a scandal magnet. How exactly did the moderate everyman survive the White House?  To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was the follow-up act no one wanted: Johnson took office after Lincoln was assassinated, and spent his presidency making every sloppy, chaotic move he was capable of. Everything he did — from empowering ex-Confederates to spearheading a deranged speaking tour to calling for a Congressman to be hanged — led to disaster, death, and ultimately his own disgrace.   To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was a paranoid president who wiretapped the White House, kept actual lists of enemies, popped pills, shoved aides, and might've secretly been in love with his best friend. Nixon’s always going to be tied to the Watergate scandal, but there’s so much more to know about so-called “Tricky Dick.” To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FDR was president for over a decade — plenty of time to curate a rotating cast of love interests, including the Princess of Norway and his own daughter-in-law. But if the White House living arrangements were made somewhat awkward by his constant need for companionship, FDR didn’t seem to notice. He was busy handling crisis after crisis… and manufacturing a few of his own, too. To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He wanted to be a low-key VP, and instead became one of the most disliked presidents in history. John Tyler was booted from his own party, burned in effigy on the White House lawn, and rejected even in death by America’s most prominent politicians.  To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The youngest president to ever take office was full of tough-guy machismo, and famous for his vigor. Where’d he pour all that energy? Breaking up his brother’s marriage, getting off the grid for wild excursions, and trophy hunting to his heart’s content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He rang in his presidency with a legendary kick-off party that ended with free-for-all punch bowls on the White House lawn. But really, the celebration marked the beginning of an absolutely disastrous two terms. Violence, racism and chauvinism were in Jackson’s blood—from deadly duels to Native American massacres to the demonic death march he directed across the country.   To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He promised his dying wife he would never remarry, then turned around and forced 14-year-old Sally Hemings—whose family he enslaved—to be his concubine. Slavery, a murder conspiracy, his own personal Burn Book… Thomas Jefferson may have been a Founding Father, but he was as dirty as they get. To view this episode’s full list of sources, please visit parcast.com/verypresidential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices