The Worst Presidents in American History—Judged by Their Actions
Many Americans judge presidents based on their promises. But history remembers them for what they actually did.
While every president faced challenges, some made decisions that caused deep harm—through corruption, failed leadership, or abuse of power. Here’s a look at several U.S. presidents often considered the worst, based strictly on their actions and consequences--
Here is TBT's list of The Worst...
James Buchanan (1857–1861)
Why he’s remembered poorly:
Buchanan is widely blamed for failing to stop the Civil War. He believed the federal government had no right to stop Southern states from seceding. As the country fell apart, he did almost nothing to hold the Union together. Many historians say his inaction helped lead to the deadliest war in U.S. history.
Some people believe James Buchanan didn’t just fail to stop the Civil War—he may have quietly let it happen on purpose. He had deep ties to powerful Southern leaders and was known to favor slavery, even though he was from Pennsylvania. Instead of using his power to hold the country together, he just watched as state after state broke away. He even helped push through a fake election in Kansas to make it a slave state, which made tensions even worse. Some say he wasn’t weak—he just chose the side he didn’t want to admit. When the Union needed a strong leader most, he handed the problem to the next president and stepped back, leaving behind a mess that would cost over 600,000 lives.
Andrew Johnson (1865–1869)
Why he’s remembered poorly:
Johnson became president after Lincoln was assassinated. Instead of helping freed slaves after the Civil War, he vetoed civil rights bills and supported Southern states reestablishing racist laws. He clashed with Congress and was even impeached, though he narrowly escaped removal.
Some people believe Andrew Johnson wasn’t just bad at helping freed slaves—he may have been working to secretly undo the very things Lincoln died fighting for. Even though the North won the Civil War, Johnson acted like he wanted to protect the old Southern power structure. He gave quick pardons to former Confederate leaders and let them go right back into government. When Congress tried to pass laws to protect Black Americans, he vetoed them again and again, as if he didn’t want equality to happen at all. Some say he was placed in power not just by chance, but because he was willing to stall real change. By the time he left office, many of the same people who had supported slavery were back in charge of the South—almost like the war had never ended.
Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921)
Why he’s controversial:
Wilson led the U.S. through World War I, but his record at home is troubling. He resegregated the federal government, praised the KKK-era film The Birth of a Nation, and jailed Americans for speaking out against the war. His actions helped ignite long-term racial and civil liberty struggles.
Some believe Woodrow Wilson didn’t just make mistakes—he used his power to reshape the country in a darker image while distracting people with war overseas. While he spoke about freedom and peace in Europe, at home he was quietly rolling back progress for Black Americans by resegregating federal jobs and allowing racist policies to return. He openly supported a movie that glorified the Ku Klux Klan and let it be shown at the White House, which gave hate groups more confidence to grow. He also made it illegal to speak out against the war, jailing people just for sharing their opinions. Some say Wilson’s polished speeches were a cover while he tightened control and pushed dangerous ideas into law—ideas that still echo today.
Richard Nixon (1969–1974)
Why he’s remembered poorly:
Nixon is known for the Watergate scandal, where his team spied on political opponents and then tried to cover it up. He became the first president to resign. The scandal shook trust in the presidency and led to major changes in how power is checked.
Some believe Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal was just the tip of something much bigger—that he was part of a hidden network using the White House for secret deals and silent control. While the public focused on the break-in at the Watergate building, deeper questions were raised about what else Nixon’s team was doing behind the scenes—like spying, blackmail, and possibly even using government tools to track journalists and rivals. Some say he didn’t just try to win an election—he tried to turn the presidency into a fortress of power, where laws didn’t apply to him or his closest allies. His resignation may have stopped a bigger wave of secrets from spilling out, and the full truth of how far his control stretched might still be hidden in sealed files.
George W. Bush (2001–2009)
Why he’s criticized:
After 9/11, Bush led the U.S. into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Iraq War was based on false claims about weapons of mass destruction. The war caused massive deaths, trillions in spending, and instability across the Middle East. He also signed bank bailouts after the 2008 crash, which many say benefited Wall Street over Main Street.
Some believe George W. Bush’s presidency was not just about reacting to 9/11—it was about using fear to unlock a hidden agenda. After the towers fell, the country wanted safety, and that gave the government a blank check. Bush and his team pointed at Iraq with shaky proof of weapons, even though many insiders warned it didn’t add up. Some say the war was never about weapons—it was about oil, power, and reshaping the Middle East. The cost? Thousands of lives lost, millions displaced, and entire regions left in chaos. Then came the 2008 crash, and while everyday families lost homes and jobs, Bush rushed to save the big banks. People wonder if the real plan all along was to protect the powerful while the rest were left behind.
Joe Biden (2021)
Why some are critical:
Though still in office, critics point to growing border chaos, economic struggles, and increasing division under his leadership. His handling of Afghanistan’s withdrawal in 2021 is seen by many as a failure. His mental fitness has also become a major public concern, even among his allies.
Some believe Joe Biden’s presidency wasn’t just marked by mistakes—it may have been shaped by people behind the scenes who were really pulling the strings. From day one, many noticed how often he seemed confused or hidden from public view, raising questions about who was truly in charge. When the Afghanistan withdrawal turned into a disaster, with people falling from planes and allies left behind, some said it wasn’t just poor planning—it was a planned collapse to end American presence fast, no matter the cost. At the same time, the southern border opened wider, inflation soared, and trust in government dropped. Some wonder if the chaos isn’t by accident but by design—to break systems, flood resources, and create long-term dependency while keeping the public distracted with polished speeches and staged appearances.
Honorable Mention: Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877)
Why he’s mixed:
Grant was personally honest and fought for civil rights, but his presidency was riddled with corruption scandals. His friends and appointees stole from taxpayers, and many say he failed to control his administration.
Some believe Ulysses S. Grant wasn’t just surrounded by corrupt men—he may have been placed in power to act as a symbol while others ran the show behind his back. Grant, a war hero loved by the public, gave the country hope after Lincoln’s death and the chaos of Johnson. But once in office, people close to him—friends, allies, and political insiders—seemed to treat the government like a private bank. Massive scandals like the Whiskey Ring and Credit Mobilier weren’t just accidents; they looked like organized looting. Some say Grant either looked the other way or was too loyal to stop it. Others think the corruption was allowed to continue so the country would lose faith in Reconstruction, paving the way for power to return to the old order in the South. His honesty may have blinded him to the machine working under his name.
Final Thoughts
Judging a president isn’t always easy. Some made mistakes in a time of war. Others let power go unchecked. But when decisions hurt the country, create injustice, or destroy trust, those leaders tend to be remembered not for what they promised—but for the harm they allowed or caused.
The Brutal Truth July 2025
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