Trump isn't the only former president to be embroiled in a hush-money scandal. Here are 10 public figures, including 3 US presidents, who have been accused of making payments to keep people quiet.

James PasleyApr 22, 2023, 21:14 IST

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, after his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in New York City, U.S., April 4, 2023.REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Donald Trump was indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying documents related to alleged hush-money payments.
US presidents Thomas Jefferson, Warren Harding, and Richard Nixon were all involved in hush-money scandals, too.

Former President Donald Trump was indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to covering up hush money payments made to three people, including porn star Stormy Daniels.

It is the first time a current or former US president has faced criminal charges, but it's not the first time a president was embroiled in such a scandal.

US presidents Thomas Jefferson, Warren Harding, and Richard Nixon were all involved in hush money scandals. Other notable politicians who made hush money payments include former treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton and former Sen. John Edwards.

Outside of politics, there have been several public figures who made hush money payments including Harvey Weinstein, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Jerry Falwell Jr., and Bill O'Reilly.

Hush-money payments are when someone pays someone else in exchange for them keeping quiet, often related to something unseemly. The New Yorker described the term as "sultry, lubricious; typically what's being hushed is evidence of sex."

Donald Trump, attorney Michael Cohen, and Stormy Daniels.AP

Hush-money payments are when someone pays someone else in exchange for them keeping quiet, often related to something unseemly. The New Yorker described the term as "sultry, lubricious; typically what's being hushed is evidence of sex."

The term was likely coined in an article written in 1709 by politician and writer Richard Steele, who wrote about conduct and morality. "I expect hush-money to be regularly sent for every folly or vice any one commits in this whole town," he wrote in a 1709 article for the British magazine, The Tatler.

A portrait of Richard Steele circa 1710.The Print Collector/Getty Images

The term was likely coined in an article written in 1709 by politician and writer Richard Steele, who wrote about conduct and morality. "I expect hush-money to be regularly sent for every folly or vice any one commits in this whole town," he wrote in a 1709 article for the British magazine, The Tatler.

The act of buying silence has been around for thousands of years. It even appears in the Bible, in the book of Genesis. After trying to seduce a man's wife, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, returns his wife and pays the man with cattle and servants, calling it "a covering of the eyes."

A painting of the Genesis scene done by Elias Van Nijmegen.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The act of buying silence has been around for thousands of years. It even appears in the Bible, in the book of Genesis. After trying to seduce a man's wife, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, returns his wife and pays the man with cattle and servants, calling it "a covering of the eyes."

In 1797, the US had its first hush money scandal. Writer and journalist James Callender reported that records showed US Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton paid $1,000 — worth about $25,000 today — in two lump sums to a man named James Reynolds in 1792.

A portrait of US treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton, circa 1800.MPI/Getty Images

In 1797, the US had its first hush money scandal. Writer and journalist James Callender reported that records showed US Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton paid $1,000 — worth about $25,000 today — in two lump sums to a man named James Reynolds in 1792.

It wasn't until Thomas Jefferson that a US president was involved in an alleged hush money scandal. Jefferson had been occasionally paying sums to the writer James Callender.

A portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Mather Brown from 1786.AP

It wasn't until Thomas Jefferson that a US president was involved in an alleged hush money scandal. Jefferson had been occasionally paying sums to the writer James Callender.

Between 1921 and 1923, former President Warren Harding paid an old lover named Carrie Fulton Phillips about $5,000 a year while he was in office — equivalent to nearly $260,000 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — to keep quiet about their affair.

Then-President Warren Harding and his wife Florence Harding in 1921.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Between 1921 and 1923, former President Warren Harding paid an old lover named Carrie Fulton Phillips about $5,000 a year while he was in office — equivalent to nearly $260,000 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — to keep quiet about their affair.

That wasn't his only hush money payment. Harding also paid a woman named Nan Britton to keep quiet after she had his child. They reached an agreement involving regular payments of $3,600 a year — about $187,000 today — after she agreed to let her sister's family adopt their child.

Then-President Warren Harding riding beside Woodrow Wilson in a carriage in 1921.Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

That wasn't his only hush money payment. Harding also paid a woman named Nan Britton to keep quiet after she had his child. They reached an agreement involving regular payments of $3,600 a year — about $187,000 today — after she agreed to let her sister's family adopt their child.

Arguably, the most famous US president caught in a hush-money scandal was Richard Nixon. In 1973, he was recorded talking about paying off E. Howard Hunt, one of the men who broke into the Watergate Office Building where the Democratic National Committee was based to bug it.

Richard Nixon after resigning as president in 1974.Bob Daugherty/AP

Arguably, the most famous US president caught in a hush-money scandal was Richard Nixon. In 1973, he was recorded talking about paying off E. Howard Hunt, one of the men who broke into the Watergate Office Building where the Democratic National Committee was based to bug it.

In 2008, former US Sen. John Edwards arranged hush-money payments of nearly $1 million to Rielle Hunter, his mistress, while he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination.

John Edwards is seen following a federal court appearance in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 2011.Gerry Broome/AP

In 2008, former US Sen. John Edwards arranged hush-money payments of nearly $1 million to Rielle Hunter, his mistress, while he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Outside of US politics, there have been several famous people who have paid to keep someone silent. After Bette Davis' husband recorded her in bed with billionaire Howard Hughes, the actress paid her spouse $75,000 to keep it secret, according to The New Yorker.

Howard Hughes shakes Bette Davis’ hand in 1938.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Outside of US politics, there have been several famous people who have paid to keep someone silent. After Bette Davis' husband recorded her in bed with billionaire Howard Hughes, the actress paid her spouse $75,000 to keep it secret, according to The New Yorker.

For decades, beginning in 1990, former film producer Harvey Weinstein paid at least eight different women hush-money payments or settlements after they accused him of sexual misconduct.

Former film producer Harvey Weinstein appears in court at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on October 4, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.Photo by Etienne Laurent-Pool/Getty Images

For decades, beginning in 1990, former film producer Harvey Weinstein paid at least eight different women hush-money payments or settlements after they accused him of sexual misconduct.

In 1993, Michael Jackson reportedly paid $25 million in hush money in a confidential settlement to a boy after he was accused of molesting him, first reported by veteran television reporter Diane Dimond.

Phil Dent/Getty Images

In 1993, Michael Jackson reportedly paid $25 million in hush money in a confidential settlement to a boy after he was accused of molesting him, first reported by veteran television reporter Diane Dimond.

In 2006, actor and comedian Bill Cosby paid $3.4 million in hush money to a Canadian massage therapist named Andrea Constand after he drugged and sexually assaulted her, according to a Pennsylvania prosecutor.

Bill Cosby arriving for sentencing for his sexual-assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse on September 24, 2018, in Norristown, Pennsylvania.Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

In 2006, actor and comedian Bill Cosby paid $3.4 million in hush money to a Canadian massage therapist named Andrea Constand after he drugged and sexually assaulted her, according to a Pennsylvania prosecutor.

In 2017, The New York Times found that Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and the network had spent $13 million in hush money since 2004 to keep five women from going public about several allegations against him, involving sexual assault and inappropriate behavior.

Bill O'Reilly.Thomson Reuters

In 2017, The New York Times found that Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and the network had spent $13 million in hush money since 2004 to keep five women from going public about several allegations against him, involving sexual assault and inappropriate behavior.

In 2013, Jerry Falwell Jr., who was the former president of Liberty University, one of the largest Christian colleges in the world, sought to conceal an affair his wife Becki had with a pool attendant named Giancarlo Granda in Miami.

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., attends the school's commencement ceremonies in Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S., May 11, 2019.Reuters/Jonathan Drake

In 2013, Jerry Falwell Jr., who was the former president of Liberty University, one of the largest Christian colleges in the world, sought to conceal an affair his wife Becki had with a pool attendant named Giancarlo Granda in Miami.

Most recently, former president Donald Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying records to cover up hush money payments made to three people, including porn star Stormy Daniels.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Most recently, former president Donald Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying records to cover up hush money payments made to three people, including porn star Stormy Daniels.

It's worth noting that these are hush-money payments that were made public. The public doesn't know about all of the hush money payments that worked. "This shouldn't be taken as something I advise or support, but coverups work all the time," Eric Dezenhall, a crisis-management specialist, told The New Yorker.

People demonstrate outside of Manhattan Criminal Court on March 21, 2023, after the news that former Pres. Donald Trump may soon face a criminal indictment.Alan Chin for Insider

It's worth noting that these are hush-money payments that were made public. The public doesn't know about all of the hush money payments that worked. "This shouldn't be taken as something I advise or support, but coverups work all the time," Eric Dezenhall, a crisis-management specialist, told The New Yorker.

Courtroom sketches capture former President Donald Trump's arraignment after cameras, phones, and electronics were banned at the start of the proceedings

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Trump isn't the only former president to be embroiled in a hush-money scandal. Here are 10 public figures, including 3 US presidents, who have been accused of making payments to keep people quiet.

Hush-money payments are when someone pays someone else in exchange for them keeping quiet, often related to something unseemly. The New Yorker described the term as "sultry, lubricious; typically what's being hushed is evidence of sex."

The act of buying silence has been around for thousands of years. It even appears in the Bible, in the book of Genesis. After trying to seduce a man's wife, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, returns his wife and pays the man with cattle and servants, calling it "a covering of the eyes."

In 1797, the US had its first hush money scandal. Writer and journalist James Callender reported that records showed US Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton paid $1,000 — worth about $25,000 today — in two lump sums to a man named James Reynolds in 1792.

It wasn't until Thomas Jefferson that a US president was involved in an alleged hush money scandal. Jefferson had been occasionally paying sums to the writer James Callender.

Between 1921 and 1923, former President Warren Harding paid an old lover named Carrie Fulton Phillips about $5,000 a year while he was in office — equivalent to nearly $260,000 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — to keep quiet about their affair.

That wasn't his only hush money payment. Harding also paid a woman named Nan Britton to keep quiet after she had his child. They reached an agreement involving regular payments of $3,600 a year — about $187,000 today — after she agreed to let her sister's family adopt their child.

Arguably, the most famous US president caught in a hush-money scandal was Richard Nixon. In 1973, he was recorded talking about paying off E. Howard Hunt, one of the men who broke into the Watergate Office Building where the Democratic National Committee was based to bug it.

In 2008, former US Sen. John Edwards arranged hush-money payments of nearly $1 million to Rielle Hunter, his mistress, while he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Outside of US politics, there have been several famous people who have paid to keep someone silent. After Bette Davis' husband recorded her in bed with billionaire Howard Hughes, the actress paid her spouse $75,000 to keep it secret, according to The New Yorker.

For decades, beginning in 1990, former film producer Harvey Weinstein paid at least eight different women hush-money payments or settlements after they accused him of sexual misconduct.

In 1993, Michael Jackson reportedly paid $25 million in hush money in a confidential settlement to a boy after he was accused of molesting him, first reported by veteran television reporter Diane Dimond.

In 2006, actor and comedian Bill Cosby paid $3.4 million in hush money to a Canadian massage therapist named Andrea Constand after he drugged and sexually assaulted her, according to a Pennsylvania prosecutor.

In 2017, The New York Times found that Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and the network had spent $13 million in hush money since 2004 to keep five women from going public about several allegations against him, involving sexual assault and inappropriate behavior.

In 2013, Jerry Falwell Jr., who was the former president of Liberty University, one of the largest Christian colleges in the world, sought to conceal an affair his wife Becki had with a pool attendant named Giancarlo Granda in Miami.

Most recently, former president Donald Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying records to cover up hush money payments made to three people, including porn star Stormy Daniels.