18 times US presidents told lies, from secret affairs to health issues to reasons for going to war

James PasleySep 9, 2023, 00:15 IST

US President Donald J. Trump delivers his first address to a joint session of Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington, United States on February 28, 2017. Traditionally the first address to a joint session of Congress by a newly-elected president is not referred to as a State of the Union.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Pool/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Every US president has told a lie — from war and taxes to health conditions and extramarital affairs.
When Dwight D. Eisenhower was caught lying by Russia, he said it was his greatest regret in office.

"This is what we will say publicly but now, let's talk about what we will actually do," President Richard Nixon wrote in a memo about secret bombings in Cambodia in 1970.

"Every president has not only lied at some time, but needs to lie to be effective," Ed Uravic, who wrote "Lying Cheating Scum," told CNN.

From President James Polk lying to invade Mexico in 1846 to then-presidential candidate George H.W. Bush famously promising no new taxes, here are some of the most famous lies US presidents have ever made.

In the 1840s, President James Polk told Congress that Mexico had invaded the US.

Former President James Polk.Universal History Archive/Getty Image

In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln, also known as "Honest Abe," might not have lied, but he wasn't always truthful.

Former President Abraham Lincoln.Getty Images / Staff

In 1898, President William McKinley declared Spain had attacked a US warship called the USS Maine in Cuba, killing 355 sailors.

Former President William McKinley.Library of Congress

In 1940, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt promised the nation that "your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars."

Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.Hulton Archive/Getty

The following year, in 1941, Roosevelt lied again. This time, he said a German submarine had attacked a US ship called the Greer without provocation.

Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.Keystone Features/Getty Images

In August 1945, the Truman administration issued a press release after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, describing it as "an important military base."

Former President Harry Truman in 1945.MPI/Getty

In 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower dismissed claims that the US had flown spy planes over Russia after one of its planes was shot down.

Former President Dwight Eisenhower.Getty Images

On October 20, 1962, President John F. Kennedy told America he had a cold.

Former President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office signing copies of his official portrait in 1961.Henry Burroughs/AP

Though he lied about having an illness, Kennedy lied about not having another one. In 1960, he said he had "never" had Addison's disease.

Former President John F. Kennedy in the White House in 1963.Keystone/Getty Images

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson said in a televised speech, “We still seek no wider war.”

Former President Lyndon B. Johnson in the Oval Sitting Room of the family quarters of the White House.Bettmann/Getty Images

In 1970, President Richard Nixon lied to the country about a US covert bombing campaign in Cambodia.

Former President Richard Nixon.Getty Images

In 1974, Nixon declared, "I'm not a crook" after being accused of obstructing justice and lying during the Watergate scandal.

Former President Richard Nixon in 1969.Bettmann/Getty Images

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan promised the nation: "We did not — repeat, did not — trade weapons or anything else for hostages, nor will we."

Former President Ronald W. Reagan in the Oval Office in 1985.Diana Walker/Getty Images

In 1988, then-Republican presidential nominee George H.W. Bush said, "Read my lips: No new taxes."

Former President George H.W. Bush.Diana Walker/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

In 1998, President Bill Clinton said before a federal grand jury, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," referring to his intern Monica Lewinsky, with whom he did, in fact, have an affair.

Monica Lewinsky and former President Bill Clinton.Fiona Hanson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images. Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images.

In 1998, President Bill Clinton said before a federal grand jury, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," referring to his intern Monica Lewinsky, with whom he did, in fact, have an affair.

In 2003, two months after the US invaded Iraq, President George W. Bush claimed to have found weapons of mass destruction to justify the war.

Then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in 1999.David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

In 2008, when President Barack Obama was pushing through his new Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, he promised people wouldn't need to change their plans if they didn't want to.

Former President Barack Obama in 2017.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

In 2008, when President Barack Obama was pushing through his new Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, he promised people wouldn't need to change their plans if they didn't want to.

President Donald Trump made more than 30,000 false or misleading statements while in office.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a political rally on July 29, 2023 in Erie, Pennsylvania.Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Republican candidates wore red ties at the first GOP debate. A stylist called it the 'Trump look-alike effect.'

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18 times US presidents told lies, from secret affairs to health issues to reasons for going to war

In the 1840s, President James Polk told Congress that Mexico had invaded the US.

In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln, also known as "Honest Abe," might not have lied, but he wasn't always truthful.

In 1898, President William McKinley declared Spain had attacked a US warship called the USS Maine in Cuba, killing 355 sailors.

In 1940, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt promised the nation that "your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars."

The following year, in 1941, Roosevelt lied again. This time, he said a German submarine had attacked a US ship called the Greer without provocation.

In August 1945, the Truman administration issued a press release after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, describing it as "an important military base."

In 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower dismissed claims that the US had flown spy planes over Russia after one of its planes was shot down.

On October 20, 1962, President John F. Kennedy told America he had a cold.

Though he lied about having an illness, Kennedy lied about not having another one. In 1960, he said he had "never" had Addison's disease.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson said in a televised speech, “We still seek no wider war.”

In 1970, President Richard Nixon lied to the country about a US covert bombing campaign in Cambodia.

In 1974, Nixon declared, "I'm not a crook" after being accused of obstructing justice and lying during the Watergate scandal.

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan promised the nation: "We did not — repeat, did not — trade weapons or anything else for hostages, nor will we."

In 1988, then-Republican presidential nominee George H.W. Bush said, "Read my lips: No new taxes."

In 1998, President Bill Clinton said before a federal grand jury, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," referring to his intern Monica Lewinsky, with whom he did, in fact, have an affair.

In 2003, two months after the US invaded Iraq, President George W. Bush claimed to have found weapons of mass destruction to justify the war.

In 2008, when President Barack Obama was pushing through his new Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, he promised people wouldn't need to change their plans if they didn't want to.

President Donald Trump made more than 30,000 false or misleading statements while in office.