Taft In Bathtub - Home Bathtub

The Curious Tale of Taft in Bathtub

In the annals of American history, amidst tales of war, diplomacy, and political intrigue, there lies a peculiar and unforgettable anecdote: the story of President William Howard Taft taking a bath in the White House bathtub.

President Taft was known for his corpulent physique, weighing in at over 300 pounds. Upon taking office in 1909, he discovered to his dismay that the White House bathtub was far too small to accommodate his ample girth. Determined to find a solution, the president's staff searched for a larger tub, but to no avail.

Faced with this dilemma, President Taft resorted to an unconventional measure: he had a special bathtub custom-built for him. The tub was so large that it required being installed through a window and then hoisted into place by a crane.

The sight of President Taft bathing in his oversized tub quickly became a source of both amusement and controversy. Newspapers and magazines published illustrations of the president in his aquatic abode, much to the chagrin of some citizens who considered such an image unpresidential.

Undeterred by the criticism, President Taft embraced the bathtub incident with good humor. He once quipped, "I have to be comfortable, and I can't abide taking baths in a bathtub that is too small for me." To this day, the story of Taft in Bathtub remains a beloved piece of American folklore, a testament to the president's endearing personality and the unexpected turns of history.