presidents

Clockwise from top left: Pushinka, a gift to President John F. Kennedy from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev; Bo, President Barack Obama's Portuguese water dog; Commander, President Biden's German shepherd; and Socks, President Bill Clinton's cat.

Presidential pets can breed controversy. A dog was once suspected of being a spy

7:00am October 07, 2023

by Scott Neuman

Historically, pets — everything from birds to cats to dogs — have been part of the White House. And Biden's dog Commander isn't alone. More than a few have ended up embroiled in some controversy.

In this Jan. 20, 2001, file photo, standing in the rain, President George W. Bush waves as he watches his inaugural parade pass by the White House viewing stand in Washington, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 20, 2001. With him are his wife and first lady Laura B

Most Americans support using the popular vote to decide U.S. presidents, data shows

5:01am August 10, 2022

by Ayana Archie

There have been five presidents who won the electoral vote but not the popular vote, including George W. Bush and Donald Trump.

Sydney Robison, center, looks on during a vigil for U.S. Marines Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover Sunday in Salt Lake City. Hoover was among the 13 U.S. troops killed in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport.

Politics & Government

Here's How Presidents Have Responded To Terrorism

5:00am August 31, 2021

by Ron Elving

Presidents' reactions have consistently combined outrage with promises of revenge. The language is remarkably similar. But there has been far less consistency in the delivery of actual retaliation.

This turkey seemed to be in a fowl mood in 1987 when Ronald Reagan used the word "pardon" for the first time in reference to sparing a Thanksgiving turkey.

The Presidential Turkey Pardon's Weird Roots Go Back To The Iran-Contra Scandal

6:05pm November 19, 2018

by Domenico Montanaro

President Reagan's pivot away from a reporter's question about possibly pardoning those involved with the 1980s arms-sales scandal is a key moment in the history of the event taking place Tuesday.

(Left to right) Donald Trump, Abraham Lincoln and then vice presidential-candidate Richard Nixon

Why Mental Health Is A Poor Measure Of A President

5:00am December 23, 2017

by Jon Hamilton

Presidents from Lincoln to Nixon appear to have suffered from a range of psychiatric disorders. But mental health professionals say that doesn't mean they were unfit for the office.

Walt Disney World unveiled its President Trump animatronic figure for the Hall of Presidents attraction.

Disney World Adds Trump Animatronic Figure, But Likeness Is Lacking

3:29pm December 19, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

The Hall of Presidents is updated with a new robot for every new leader. So it's not the presence of President Trump that is raising eyebrows. It's ... well, it's his face.

Former President Barack Obama extends his hand as he attends Cook County jury duty at the Daley Center on Wednesday in Chicago.

Even (Former) Presidents Have To Go To Jury Duty

10:48am November 11, 2017

by Scott Simon

Barack Obama reported for jury duty in Cook County and was dismissed. NPR's Scott Simon says the fact that former presidents show up for jury duty says something vital about the political system.

Queue Listen Now

Former President Barack Obama will report for jury duty in Cook County, Ill., in November.

Former Presidents: They're Just Like Us! Obama Summoned For Jury Duty

2:19pm October 28, 2017

by Maggie Penman

Barack Obama is to report next month in Cook County, Ill. If selected, he wouldn't be the first high-profile juror — Oprah Winfrey served in a murder trial in 2004.

In 1876, O.G. Mason, Bellevue's official photographer, took a carefully staged photograph of a blood transfusion in progress.

Bellevue Hospital Pioneered Care For Presidents And Paupers

4:34pm November 16, 2016

by NPR Staff

The history of New York's Bellevue hospital is also the history of medicine in the United States. From the days before doctors believed in germs through AIDS, the hospital led the way in innovation.

Pope Francis is greeted by President Obama after arriving outside Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

The Complicated History Of Popes And U.S. Presidents

12:57pm September 23, 2015

by Don Gonyea

Pope Francis' visit to Washington marks the 29th time a pope has sat down for a meeting with a president of the United States. As usual, politics will provide the backdrop.

Queue Listen Now