10 Disturbing White House Guests Because of What We Know Now
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
From controversial musicians to infamous historical figures, these White House guests have left a lasting and often disturbing impression. Join us as we explore the most unsettling visitors who walked the halls of America's most famous residence, revealing shocking stories that will make you see history differently. Our countdown includes shocking visits from figures like J. Robert Oppenheimer, Kanye West, Bill Cosby, Vladimir Putin, and Jeffrey Epstein, each with a complex and controversial legacy that continues to resonate today. Which of these do you find the most disturbing in retrospect? Share in the comments.
10 Disturbing Guests at the White House Because of What We Know Now
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at White House visitations that aged disturbingly given what we know now.
J. Robert Oppenheimer
In the 1940s, J. Robert Oppenheimer was celebrated as the “father of the atomic bomb,” effectively ending World War II. Given the bombings’ lasting impact on Japan and the threat nuclear weapons still pose, though, history looks back at Oppenheimer’s legacy with mixed feelings. Even Oppenheimer appeared conflicted at the time. This was reflected on October 25, 1942, when he met President Harry Truman at the White House. While Truman was enthusiastic about the future of atomic energy, Oppenheimer expressed concern, feeling there should be restrictions. Oppenheimer further angered the president when he said, “I feel I have blood on my hands.” His trip to the Oval Office hurt Oppenheimer’s relationship with Washington, signifying that his creation was now out of his hands.
Kanye West
When Ye visited President Donald Trump at the White House in October 2018, the two discussed North Korea, the 13th Amendment, and how the MAGA hat made the rapper feel like Superman. It was weird, but we all thought this would be the extent of West’s political tirades. The meeting took on a more disturbing sentiment when West officially announced his presidential campaign in July 2020. Despite this, Trump invited West to dinner at Mar-a-Lago in November 2022. Also among the guest list was holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. West himself had recently made several antisemitic remarks with more following. While his 2018 Oval Office visit once just seemed like a quirky news story, it was truly a turning point in West’s history of controversy.
Sean Combs
From one notorious musician to another, Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs received a White House tour from President George W. Bush himself in December 2004. Combs was in Washington for the Kennedy Center Honors where Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis were among the honorees. Combs found time to drop by the White House, although he didn’t realize the president and first lady would be by his side. According to the New York Post, Combs and Laura Bush realized they share the same birthday. The president thus suggested Combs throw a birthday party for them next year. Combs reportedly said, “I’ll arrange that,” adding, “nice house,” as he left. Even the White House wanted to experience a Diddy party. Twenty years later, the Bushes might feel differently.
D. W. Griffith
1915’s “The Birth of a Nation” was the highest-grossing film of its era. It was such a phenomenon that the film would be screened at the White House for President Woodrow Wilson. Also present was the film’s director, D. W. Griffith. Griffith might’ve pushed cinematic techniques forward, but his film also arguably sent society back with its hateful depiction of Black people. The blockbuster also helped to reinvigorate the KKK with its effects still felt over a century later. Even in 1915, the film’s White House screening was considered divisive and has grown more disturbing with time. The criticisms aimed at “Birth of a Nation” weren’t lost on Griffith, who responded with his next film, 1916’s “Intolerance.” The damage was already done, however.
Bill Cosby
Before his fall from grace, Bill Cosby received numerous awards. This includes the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is considered America’s highest civilian honor. At the White House in 2002, George W. Bush presented the medal to the once-esteemed comedian. Given Cosby’s influence on African-American culture and clean-cut reputation, he seemed worthy of such an honor… at the time. Much changed over the following years as Cosby’s history of reported sexual abuse came to light. Cosby was subsequently stripped of various accolades with some calling for his Presidential Medal of Freedom to be revoked as well. President Barack Obama addressed the petition against Cosby in 2015. While Obama condemned Cosby’s alleged behavior, he said that there wasn’t a precedent for taking his medal away.
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin’s favorite POTUS might be the Trumpster, although the Russian president has gotten chummy with several U.S. leaders. On November 13, 2001, George W. Bush welcomed Putin to the White House’s East Room for a joint press conference. Bush called this “a new day in the long history of Russian-American relations, a day of progress and a day of hope.” Bush added, “Our highest priority is to keep terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.” Today, no country possesses more nuclear weapons than Russia. Putin hasn’t ruled out the idea of sending the West a warning amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Concerns that the U.S. presidency could follow Putin’s example have also escalated, making his 2001 visit feel like an ironic omen.
Kevin Spacey
As his presidency neared its conclusion in 2000, Bill Clinton shot a comedic short film entitled “The Final Days.” Produced for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, the short followed Clinton as he performed run-of-the-mill tasks around 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The film also featured an appearance from Kevin Spacey, retrieving his Oscar for “American Beauty.” According to Entertainment Weekly, Spacey slept over at the White House and agreed to shoot a cameo. In a way, the short foreshadowed Spacey’s turn as President Frank Underwood in “House of Cards.” Of course, that show’s legacy would be tainted by Spacey’s history of reported sexual misconduct. The same can be said about this short film, especially considering that Clinton has faced misconduct allegations of his own.
Charles J. Guiteau [a]
Charles J. Guiteau felt his devotion to the Republican party helped pave the way for James A. Garfield to become president. As such, Guiteau thought he was owed a consulship, eyeing a position in Paris or Vienna. Arriving in Washington, Guiteau visited the White House almost every day, demanding the job he felt entitled to. Guiteau also repeatedly went to the State Department and sent letters to Garfield. Yet, Guiteau was always turned down. Guiteau grew more frustrated with Garfield, suspecting the president might get rid of the patronage system and in turn, ruin the Republican party. This drove Guiteau to shoot Garfield on July 2, 1881. The president succumbed to his injuries months later while Guiteau was hanged for his crimes.
Jeffrey Epstein
This infamous sex offender has been linked to several high-profile figures, including Presidents Trump and Clinton. Throughout Clinton’s presidency, Epstein visited the White House several times. According to White House visitor logs, Epstein was usually accompanied by women, including his partner and fellow sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. In September 1993, Epstein and Maxwell attended a reception for donors who had contributed to the White House’s restoration. During this period, Epstein also met with Clinton aide Mark Middleton on multiple occasions. Epstein’s reputation crumbled in the years to come, culminating in his self-inflicted death. Clinton has denied having any knowledge of Epstein’s sex crimes, although an insider claims the two were “close.” Unless the White House walls start talking, we may never know how close.
John Wilkes Booth
Guiteau wasn’t the first person to assassinate a U.S. president. He wasn’t the first to visit the White House either. On April 11, 1865, two days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union Army, a crowd gathered outside Abraham Lincoln’s balcony. From the White House window, the president proclaimed that he hoped to grant Black Union soldiers the right to vote. This didn’t sit well with everyone in the crowd, most notably John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln was supposedly familiar with Booth’s theatre work and had invited him to the White House a few times. The actor didn’t accept these offers, but he was present for what would be Lincoln’s last public speech, which inspired Booth to assassinate the president three days later.
Can you think of any other disturbing White House guests? Let us know in the comments.
[a]ghee-TOH https://youtu.be/wVYEMf_6EHo?si=QUQPZh7FzdfYhsTp&t=57
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at White House visitations that aged disturbingly given what we know now.
J. Robert Oppenheimer
In the 1940s, J. Robert Oppenheimer was celebrated as the “father of the atomic bomb,” effectively ending World War II. Given the bombings’ lasting impact on Japan and the threat nuclear weapons still pose, though, history looks back at Oppenheimer’s legacy with mixed feelings. Even Oppenheimer appeared conflicted at the time. This was reflected on October 25, 1942, when he met President Harry Truman at the White House. While Truman was enthusiastic about the future of atomic energy, Oppenheimer expressed concern, feeling there should be restrictions. Oppenheimer further angered the president when he said, “I feel I have blood on my hands.” His trip to the Oval Office hurt Oppenheimer’s relationship with Washington, signifying that his creation was now out of his hands.
Kanye West
When Ye visited President Donald Trump at the White House in October 2018, the two discussed North Korea, the 13th Amendment, and how the MAGA hat made the rapper feel like Superman. It was weird, but we all thought this would be the extent of West’s political tirades. The meeting took on a more disturbing sentiment when West officially announced his presidential campaign in July 2020. Despite this, Trump invited West to dinner at Mar-a-Lago in November 2022. Also among the guest list was holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. West himself had recently made several antisemitic remarks with more following. While his 2018 Oval Office visit once just seemed like a quirky news story, it was truly a turning point in West’s history of controversy.
Sean Combs
From one notorious musician to another, Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs received a White House tour from President George W. Bush himself in December 2004. Combs was in Washington for the Kennedy Center Honors where Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis were among the honorees. Combs found time to drop by the White House, although he didn’t realize the president and first lady would be by his side. According to the New York Post, Combs and Laura Bush realized they share the same birthday. The president thus suggested Combs throw a birthday party for them next year. Combs reportedly said, “I’ll arrange that,” adding, “nice house,” as he left. Even the White House wanted to experience a Diddy party. Twenty years later, the Bushes might feel differently.
D. W. Griffith
1915’s “The Birth of a Nation” was the highest-grossing film of its era. It was such a phenomenon that the film would be screened at the White House for President Woodrow Wilson. Also present was the film’s director, D. W. Griffith. Griffith might’ve pushed cinematic techniques forward, but his film also arguably sent society back with its hateful depiction of Black people. The blockbuster also helped to reinvigorate the KKK with its effects still felt over a century later. Even in 1915, the film’s White House screening was considered divisive and has grown more disturbing with time. The criticisms aimed at “Birth of a Nation” weren’t lost on Griffith, who responded with his next film, 1916’s “Intolerance.” The damage was already done, however.
Bill Cosby
Before his fall from grace, Bill Cosby received numerous awards. This includes the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is considered America’s highest civilian honor. At the White House in 2002, George W. Bush presented the medal to the once-esteemed comedian. Given Cosby’s influence on African-American culture and clean-cut reputation, he seemed worthy of such an honor… at the time. Much changed over the following years as Cosby’s history of reported sexual abuse came to light. Cosby was subsequently stripped of various accolades with some calling for his Presidential Medal of Freedom to be revoked as well. President Barack Obama addressed the petition against Cosby in 2015. While Obama condemned Cosby’s alleged behavior, he said that there wasn’t a precedent for taking his medal away.
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin’s favorite POTUS might be the Trumpster, although the Russian president has gotten chummy with several U.S. leaders. On November 13, 2001, George W. Bush welcomed Putin to the White House’s East Room for a joint press conference. Bush called this “a new day in the long history of Russian-American relations, a day of progress and a day of hope.” Bush added, “Our highest priority is to keep terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.” Today, no country possesses more nuclear weapons than Russia. Putin hasn’t ruled out the idea of sending the West a warning amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Concerns that the U.S. presidency could follow Putin’s example have also escalated, making his 2001 visit feel like an ironic omen.
Kevin Spacey
As his presidency neared its conclusion in 2000, Bill Clinton shot a comedic short film entitled “The Final Days.” Produced for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, the short followed Clinton as he performed run-of-the-mill tasks around 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The film also featured an appearance from Kevin Spacey, retrieving his Oscar for “American Beauty.” According to Entertainment Weekly, Spacey slept over at the White House and agreed to shoot a cameo. In a way, the short foreshadowed Spacey’s turn as President Frank Underwood in “House of Cards.” Of course, that show’s legacy would be tainted by Spacey’s history of reported sexual misconduct. The same can be said about this short film, especially considering that Clinton has faced misconduct allegations of his own.
Charles J. Guiteau [a]
Charles J. Guiteau felt his devotion to the Republican party helped pave the way for James A. Garfield to become president. As such, Guiteau thought he was owed a consulship, eyeing a position in Paris or Vienna. Arriving in Washington, Guiteau visited the White House almost every day, demanding the job he felt entitled to. Guiteau also repeatedly went to the State Department and sent letters to Garfield. Yet, Guiteau was always turned down. Guiteau grew more frustrated with Garfield, suspecting the president might get rid of the patronage system and in turn, ruin the Republican party. This drove Guiteau to shoot Garfield on July 2, 1881. The president succumbed to his injuries months later while Guiteau was hanged for his crimes.
Jeffrey Epstein
This infamous sex offender has been linked to several high-profile figures, including Presidents Trump and Clinton. Throughout Clinton’s presidency, Epstein visited the White House several times. According to White House visitor logs, Epstein was usually accompanied by women, including his partner and fellow sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. In September 1993, Epstein and Maxwell attended a reception for donors who had contributed to the White House’s restoration. During this period, Epstein also met with Clinton aide Mark Middleton on multiple occasions. Epstein’s reputation crumbled in the years to come, culminating in his self-inflicted death. Clinton has denied having any knowledge of Epstein’s sex crimes, although an insider claims the two were “close.” Unless the White House walls start talking, we may never know how close.
John Wilkes Booth
Guiteau wasn’t the first person to assassinate a U.S. president. He wasn’t the first to visit the White House either. On April 11, 1865, two days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union Army, a crowd gathered outside Abraham Lincoln’s balcony. From the White House window, the president proclaimed that he hoped to grant Black Union soldiers the right to vote. This didn’t sit well with everyone in the crowd, most notably John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln was supposedly familiar with Booth’s theatre work and had invited him to the White House a few times. The actor didn’t accept these offers, but he was present for what would be Lincoln’s last public speech, which inspired Booth to assassinate the president three days later.
Can you think of any other disturbing White House guests? Let us know in the comments.
[a]ghee-TOH https://youtu.be/wVYEMf_6EHo?si=QUQPZh7FzdfYhsTp&t=57
