Random Presidents With Children Who Caused Scandals (14 items)

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  (#7) Ronald Reagan

  • Dec. at 93 (1911-2004)

  Patti Davis was so different from her father, Ronald Reagan, that she gave up his name. Patti was a hippie extraordinaire, which did not fit with Reagan’s reputation as a conservative president or Nancy Reagan’s war on drugs.

  Patti spoke out against both of her parents, and even published a tell-all book about her family. She was also heavily involved in anti-nuclear protests, which caused a lot of controversy once her father was in control of the nuclear codes. She posed nude for Playboy at age 58, as well.
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  (#9) Martin Van Buren

  • Dec. at 80 (1782-1862)

  Although John Van Buren, son of Martin Van Buren, became a prominent politician in his own right, he also spent some time as a controversial presidential child. John loved to party, and managed to work himself into some impressive social circles. In fact, he gained the nickname "Prince John" after he danced with Queen Victoria in 1838.

  John was a notorious alcoholic, and had to be carried from the horse races on multiple occasions. He was also rumored to be a heavy gambler, and may have lost his own mistresses during a card game.
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  (#4) Abraham Lincoln

  • Dec. at 56 (1809-1865)

  Despite his serious, presidential demeanor, Abraham Lincoln had a reputation for being a wild youth. Apparently that trait was genetic. Lincoln’s two youngest sons, Tad and William, were known around Washington as troublemakers. The two often pulled pranks on unsuspecting White House guests.

  William died young, and Tad was left to his own devices - but he kept making mischief. In one memorable stunt, Tad had a yard sale out front of the White House, in which he tried to sell his parents’ clothes. In another incident, he tied a bunch of goats to a sled and had them pull him through an official reception.

  He's also credited with beginning the presidential tradition of pardoning a turkey on Thanksgiving each year.
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  (#2) James Madison

  • Dec. at 85 (1751-1836)

  John Payne Todd probably deserves his less-than-great reputation. John was the stepson of James Madison and a child from his mother Dolley Madison’s first marriage. John embarrassed his family with his out-of-control gambling and alcohol addictions. The President and First Lady repeatedly tried to send him to school or find him respectable work, but nothing stuck. John continued to spend money. The Madisons spent their retirement in relative destitution, and the problem was compounded when James died, leaving Dolley a widow.

  The ever-pragmatic Dolley saved herself from bankruptcy by selling some of her late husband's papers to Congress. The agreed upon payment was delivered to her as an annuity, so John couldn't get his hands on his mother's money.
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  (#14) George W. Bush

  • 72

  George W. Bush’s daughters, Barbara and Jenna, attracted a fair share of attention during their father's presidency. They were criticized for underage drinking when they were 19 years old. Mostly, though, they got in trouble for their efforts to ditch their Secret Service detail whenever they wanted to party.

  They reportedly ran red lights to escape their escorts, and were once cited for underage drinking while in the company of several Secret Service guards.
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  (#3) James Garfield's Son Rode His Bicycle Down The White House Steps

  Irvin McDowell Garfield was the son of President James Garfield. Young Irvin wasn’t that much more rambunctious than the average child, but his escapades caused some concern. Irvin was found on multiple occasions riding his bicycle down the White House steps, which was considered a major no-no.

  Irvin apparently grew out of this phase, and later became a lawyer.

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