Donald Trump – first president without a pet in 150 years (apart from the one on his head)
Best graphic we’ve ever seen in the Economist (admittedly from a small field).
Donald Trump is the first American president without a pet in nearly 150 years https://t.co/NxIIFfqnlQ pic.twitter.com/Awm4iDoGcB
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) September 10, 2017
Some people had questions though.
Did Teddy Roosevelt have a feckin zoo?
— Charles Lawley (@CharlesLawley) September 10, 2017
And how did JFK manage to go through nearly a dozen dogs in a Presidency that didn't last 3 years?
— Charles Lawley (@CharlesLawley) September 10, 2017
It's pets owned by presidents… Not during the presidency. At least that's my read of it…
— Beth Hundey (@bhundey) September 10, 2017
Of course. That's less alarming.
— Charles Lawley (@CharlesLawley) September 10, 2017
Here’s a bit of detail from the Economist story.
“The last pet-less leader in American history was Andrew Johnson, who left office in 1869 and is best-known for being one of only two presidents to be impeached (the other, Bill Clinton, had a dog and a cat).
According to the Presidential Pet Museum, the White House has been home to over 300 animals, ranging from dozens of dogs, horses and birds to the occasional bear, tiger and alligator.
Theodore Roosevelt had by far the most impressive menagerie: while in office, the famed outdoorsman and conservationist cared for some 50 animals, including a badger, a barn owl and a one-legged rooster.
Although animals are beloved by Americans of all political stripes, their appeal in the Oval Office has not been quite so bipartisan: Democratic presidents have averaged six pets each compared with nine for Republican ones.”
Others suggested Trump did in fact have a pet and it was hiding in plain sight.
What about that marmot on his head? https://t.co/lVamZNT50t
— barney farmer (@barneyfarmer) September 14, 2017
You mean this one? pic.twitter.com/Ew9W1orjHM
— Paul Brennan (@PaoloBrennan) September 14, 2017