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George Washington
Washington was always very cautious in what content he covered in his speeches to the public, for he knew that the newly emerging newspapers would cover his addresses. Washington communicated with the people through formal speeches, such as his inaugural address and state of the union speech. -
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was not only known for his public speaking ability, but also was a renowned debater. In debates, such as the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Lincoln made his opinions very clear to the general public, and his words were often published in newspapers. Additionally, Lincoln was the first president to make use of the telegraph while in office. Lincoln's style of communication was more direct than Washington, and he reached a larger group of people through his extensive use of technology. -
William McKinley
William McKinley was very much against traveling, so instead, he insisted that people made use of the railroads and came to visit him instead. However, the rise of motion pictures and film allowed him to use videos as a part of his campaign. His inauguration was also the first ever to be filmed. McKinley differed from Lincoln by not participating in heated debates and not traveling to communicate with others. -
Teddy Roosevelt
Newspapers were getting more and more popular during the time of Teddy's presidency. The rise of the press gave Roosevelt the power to use his humor and charming personality to gain popularity. Through the use of comedic sayings and political cartoons, Roosevelt gained extensive support from the public. His connection with the American people made him stand out from other presidents before him. He also utilized the press more than any other president before him. -
FDR
During the Great Depression, FDR strategically used the radio to connect with Americans all over the nation. FDR's Fireside Chats were unlike any other president who had used the radio, for his charismatic personality especially engaged the nation. FDR knew how to make every American feel as if they had a special, personal connection with him, making him one of the most communicable presidents. -
JFK
Before winning the presidency, JFK took advantage of televised debates and speeches in order to win over Americans. His good looks, strong speaking skills, and overall charisma assisted him in winning his presidency with ease. After he became president, he continued to make use of the television and his charming personality in order to communicate with the nation. JFK was the youngest president of his time, and his youthful energy separated him drastically from previous presidents. -
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton was the first ever president to have an email account but hardly ever used it to communicate. He took a very "human" approach to his presidency, often showing off his humorous side on television and in interviews. His methods of campaigning were seen as unconventional and sometimes unprofessional, but he still won the presidency nonetheless. His use of email and his nontraditional behavior displayed to the public separates him from past presidents. -
Barack Obama
Barack Obama was the first president that made use of the social media platform, Twitter. Although the POTUS Twitter was intended to help the president communicate with the American people easier, Obama did not compose his own tweets. Obama was able to reach the nation and the entire globe through this platform along with the radio, news sites, and television, ultimately expanding his scope of influence more than any other president. -
Donald Trump
Donald Trump also made use of Twitter, but in a more unprofessional way. Posting nearly every thought that came to his mind, Trump paid no attention to whether his comments were ethical, legal, or professional, thus making him an extremely controversial figure in the public eye. His questionable comments and actions were reported by every news source daily, and he remains one of the most controversial presidents America has ever seen.