Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States (1921–1923), is often remembered for his landslide election victory, his administration’s scandals, and his sudden death in office.
A former newspaper publisher from Ohio, Harding campaigned on a promise of a “return to normalcy” after World War I, appealing to Americans seeking stability.
While his presidency saw economic growth and important legislative reforms, it was also overshadowed by corruption, including the infamous Teapot Dome scandal.
His personal life was equally controversial, marked by extramarital affairs and speculation surrounding his death. Despite his popularity at the time, Harding is frequently ranked among the worst U.S. presidents due to the failures of his administration.
Warren G Harding Facts
1. He Won in a Landslide.
Warren G. Harding secured a decisive victory in the 1920 presidential election, defeating Democratic candidate James Cox with 60.3% of the popular vote and an overwhelming 404 electoral votes to Cox’s 127.
His campaign promised a “return to normalcy,” a slogan that resonated with Americans seeking stability after the upheaval of World War I and the progressive reforms of Woodrow Wilson’s presidency.
The election was also notable because it was the first presidential election in which women could vote nationwide, following the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
2. His Presidency Was Marked by Scandal.
While Harding himself was not directly implicated in corruption, his presidency became infamous for a series of scandals involving members of his administration.
The most notorious was the Teapot Dome scandal, in which Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall secretly leased government oil reserves in Teapot Dome, Wyoming, and Elk Hills, California, to private oil companies in exchange for bribes.
Also Read: Warren G Harding Accomplishments
Fall became the first former Cabinet official to be convicted of a crime. Other scandals, such as Attorney General Harry Daugherty’s involvement in bootlegging and bribery schemes, further tarnished Harding’s legacy.
Harding privately lamented his choices in appointments, once remarking, “I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my friends, my damn friends… they’re the ones that keep me walking the floor nights.”
3. He Loved Gambling and Poker.
Harding was an enthusiastic poker player and hosted regular games in the White House with his closest friends, often referred to as the “Ohio Gang.” He was known to bet large sums of money on poker and reportedly once gambled away a complete set of White House china.
In addition to poker, Harding enjoyed other forms of gambling, including horse racing and betting on sports. His love of leisure activities, including golf and drinking alcohol during Prohibition, contributed to his reputation as a president more focused on socializing than governance.
4. His Cabinet Was a Mix of Good and Bad.
Harding’s Cabinet included a mix of highly competent individuals and corrupt opportunists. Among the most capable was Herbert Hoover, who served as Secretary of Commerce and worked to modernize business practices and streamline government regulations.
Charles Evans Hughes, the Secretary of State, played a key role in foreign policy, particularly in negotiating arms reduction through the Washington Naval Conference. However, Harding also appointed figures like Attorney General Harry Daugherty, who was later accused of corruption, and Albert Fall, who was at the center of the Teapot Dome scandal.
Harding’s failure to properly oversee his appointees allowed corruption to flourish, further damaging his presidency’s reputation.
5. He Signed the First Federal Anti-Lynching Bill (But It Failed).
Harding was one of the first presidents to advocate for civil rights for African Americans in the early 20th century. He publicly spoke out against lynching, which was still a widespread form of racial violence in the South.
In 1922, he supported the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill, which aimed to make lynching a federal crime. The bill passed in the House of Representatives, but Southern Democrats in the Senate filibustered it, preventing it from becoming law.
Despite this setback, Harding’s advocacy for racial justice was significant for its time, as most previous presidents had avoided addressing racial violence directly.
6. He Was the First President to Visit Alaska.
In 1923, Harding became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Alaska, a move that demonstrated his interest in American expansion and infrastructure development. During his trip, he gave speeches on resource management, trade, and transportation.
Harding’s journey to Alaska was part of a broader cross-country tour, which took him to various western states. His goal was to promote his administration’s policies and reconnect with the American public. However, the trip took a toll on his health, and he fell ill while traveling through California, leading to his sudden death.
7. His Death Was Sudden and Mysterious.
Harding died unexpectedly on August 2, 1923, while staying at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The official cause of death was listed as a heart attack or stroke, but speculation immediately arose about the circumstances of his passing.
Some rumors suggested that Harding had been poisoned by his wife, Florence Harding, who allegedly wanted to prevent him from facing the fallout of his administration’s corruption scandals. No autopsy was ever performed, fueling decades of conspiracy theories.
Florence Harding, known for her strong-willed personality, refused to allow an investigation into his death, which only deepened suspicions.
8. He Signed the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921.
One of Harding’s most lasting contributions was signing the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, which modernized the federal budget process. This law established the Bureau of the Budget (now known as the Office of Management and Budget) and required the president to submit an annual budget to Congress.
Prior to this, government spending was poorly organized, with little oversight or coordination between agencies. The law helped create a more efficient, centralized approach to federal budgeting and is still a key feature of how the U.S. government manages its finances today.
9. His Personal Life Was Scandalous.
Harding’s presidency was not just marred by political scandal but also by personal controversies. He had multiple extramarital affairs, the most infamous being with Nan Britton, a woman nearly 30 years his junior.
Britton later wrote a book, “The President’s Daughter,” in which she claimed that Harding had fathered her child and that they had conducted their affair in places including a closet in the White House.
For years, historians debated the truth of Britton’s claim, but in 2015, DNA testing confirmed that Harding was indeed the father of her child. Other alleged affairs, including one with Carrie Phillips, further contributed to Harding’s reputation as an unfaithful husband.
10. Historians Rank Him Among the Worst Presidents.
Due to the widespread corruption, scandals, and lack of major legislative achievements, Harding is often ranked as one of the worst U.S. presidents in historical surveys.
His presidency is frequently criticized for being ineffective and plagued by cronyism, with many of his closest associates using their positions for personal gain.
However, some historians argue that Harding’s economic policies, including tax cuts and reducing government spending, helped lay the foundation for the Roaring Twenties’ economic boom.
Additionally, his support for civil rights and international arms control was ahead of its time. While his reputation remains largely negative, some scholars believe he deserves a more nuanced evaluation.