10 Presidents Who Left Office Without Their Dignity
Presidents are supposed to leave office with a firm handshake and a noble smile. Instead, a surprising number walk out looking like they misplaced the plot somewhere around year two. It is a uniquely American tradition to applaud politely while pretending everything is fine.
You can practically chart the unraveling. The posture sinks. The optimism evaporates. The speeches wobble between confidence and creative improvisation. By the final months, the nation is basically nodding along like a diner patron waiting for the check.
Every departure tells a story, and some are so messy they deserve preservation for future generations of confused citizens.
George W. Bush, 2001–2009
Departed with low approval ratings amid the financial crisis and unpopular wars.
John Adams, 1797–1801
Left Washington before Jefferson’s inauguration and avoided the ceremony after defeat.
George H. W. Bush, 1989–1993
Lost reelection during an economic downturn despite high approval after the Gulf War.
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1963–1969
Chose not to seek reelection as the Vietnam War eroded his popularity and credibility.
Donald Trump, 2017–2021
Finished his presidency with a second impeachment and skipped his successor’s inauguration.
Bill Clinton, 1993–2001
Ended his term under impeachment pressure and ongoing controversy from the Lewinsky case.
James Buchanan, 1857–1861
Failed to address the secession crisis and left a fractured country without firm leadership.
Herbert Hoover, 1929–1933
Lost amid the Great Depression and left office widely unpopular and publicly booed.
Andrew Johnson, 1865–1869
Faced the first presidential impeachment and survived removal by a single Senate vote.
Richard Nixon, 1969–1974
Resigned after Watergate and departed by helicopter after admitting to a recorded cover-up.
