The use of profanity by American presidents has surged dramatically over the past decade, with nearly nine out of ten presidential swear words recorded since 1919 uttered by leaders in office since 2016, according to recent research. This rise in coarse language reflects a significant shift in political communication and public tolerance for explicit speech from high-ranking officials.
A study led by Dr. Joseph Phillips, a lecturer at Cardiff University, analyzed presidential remarks dating back to Woodrow Wilson’s administration. The findings reveal that former Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden collectively account for 538 of the 692 documented profanities used in official or public statements. This total represents 78 percent of all presidential cursing within the past century.
Wilson is credited with breaking the so-called “profanity seal” for presidents in 1919, when he used mild profanity to describe a personal mistake. But the frequency and intensity of swear words have escalated considerably in recent years. Dr. Phillips explained that profanity has become a tool for political figures to convey authenticity, particularly amid widespread public distrust in political institutions.
Donald Trump has notably expanded the scope and bluntness of presidential expletives, frequently using words such as “bastard,” “bitch,” and the F-word during public appearances and media interviews. In one recent instance, Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst that the United States would “beat the f--king s--t out of” Iran. Earlier in the year, he issued a similarly profane ultimatum to Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz.
Joe Biden has also used profanity, though his choice of words has tended to be milder. During his vice presidency, he famously used the F-word while speaking to then-President Barack Obama about the signing of the Affordable Care Act. As president, however, Biden’s public uses of strong expletives have been rare. One notable exception occurred during a 2022 hot mic incident, when he told then-Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy, “No one f--ks with a Biden.”
The public appears increasingly tolerant of politicians’ use of profanities. A recent YouGov poll indicated that younger Americans are more accepting of such language than older generations. This trend is not limited to the presidency. In congressional settings, instances of explicit language have become more common on both sides of the aisle. For example, Republican Senator Bernie Moreno used an expletive during a high-profile Senate hearing while questioning Dr. Anthony Fauci about COVID-19 lockdown policies.
Democratic lawmakers have also embraced coarse language. Representative Susie Lee of Nevada gained attention for a post containing multiple profanities in response to former President Trump’s presence at a Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship. Lee apologized for her frequent use of strong language, reflecting a broader normalization of profanity in political discourse.
As the boundaries of political language continue to evolve, experts suggest that profanity may serve both as an expression of frustration and a strategy to appear relatable to certain segments of the electorate. However, the increasing use of swear words by public officials remains a subject of debate regarding decorum and professionalism in political communication.