Presidential Pranks: April Fools' Day Shenanigans from the White House

John Quincy Adams sought solace from the demands of his presidential duties through regular dips in the Potomac River. When Anne Royall, widely regarded as one of the earliest professional female journalists in America, learned of Adams’ unconventional bathing habits, she seized the opportunity to secure an interview with the diplomatic leader. Adams found himself in a precarious situation when Royall playfully confiscated his clothes, using them as leverage until he submitted to her interrogation. Some reports suggest that Royall’s playful prank resulted in her conducting the first-ever presidential interview by a female journalist.

Johnson's Wit Sinks In

President Lyndon B. Johnson treated his esteemed guests to lavish trips at this Stonewall ranch in Texas. Among the highlights was a thrilling joyride through the ranch’s winding roads in his lagoon blue convertible. What seemed like a serene drive would suddenly transform into a life-or-death experience (or so his unsuspecting passengers thought). Johnson would panic, claiming the brakes had failed as they were hurtling towards the river. As his passengers’ lives flashed before their eyes, Johnson would burst into laughter as the convertible seamlessly transitioned into a watercraft, floating on the river’s surface. Little did they know, Johnson’s “convertible” was actually an Amphicar, a novelty vehicle from the early 1960s capable of traversing both land and water. Although Amphicar production ceased in 1967, its legacy lives on as a key player in one of the most memorable presidential pranks in history.

Barbara's New Look

First lady, Barbara Bush wore a strawberry blonde wig to a Gridiron dinner on April 1, 1989, intended as a spoof to mock the excessive attention on her appearance. The wig, provided by her longtime hairstylist, was paired with brighter makeup tones. Mrs. Bush chose the event deliberately, knowing the correspondents and publishers would be present. Despite the humor, she wished for more focus on her serious advocacy work, such as promoting national literacy.

Nixon on NPR?

Although not a compelling campaign slogan, it remains a memorable line from Richard Nixon’s ill-fated 1992 presidential campaign. Ironically, Nixon himself wasn’t the mastermind behind it – rather, it was comedian and Nixon impressionist Rich Little, along with NPR’s John Hockenberry, who orchestrated the prank on the radio network’s Talk of the Nation program. Bewildered listeners flooded the lines to express their adamant opposition, affirming just how resolute they were in denying “Nixon” the opportunity to repeat his “previous mistakes.”

His championing slogan?

“I never did anything wrong, and I won’t do it again.”

First Lady or Flight Attendant?

First lady, Jill Biden pulled a fast one on the media and on her very own staff on a flight back to Washington from California. During her flight, Mrs. Biden dressed up as a flight attendant wearing a short black wig and a “Jasmine” name tag while passing out ice cream sandwiches. Members of the media along with the members of the first lady’s staff were fooled. This was not Jill Biden’s only “gotcha” moment, as she is known to enjoy pranks. In her memoir, she states that while her husband, President Joe Biden, was Vice President, she hid in an overhead bin on Air Force Two, surprising an unsuspecting individual who was seeking to stow luggage.

Lighten Up at The National Presidential Wax Museum!

April Fools’ Day provides a unique opportunity for presidents and related parties to showcase their lighter side and engage in playful antics. While the duties of the presidency are undoubtedly serious, these moments of levity remind us that even the most powerful individuals can appreciate a good joke.

Embrace the spirit of fun and maybe even pull off a prank or two – just like our nation’s leaders before us.