“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself… and maybe clowns.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt. A man who led America through the Great Depression and World War II. A man of strength. Courage. But there was one thing he feared. Clowns.
Yes, clowns.
You see, Roosevelt wasn’t just battling economic crises and global conflict. He was also battling the terrifying, balloon-animal-wielding, honk-honk-making menace of the circus world.
No one knows exactly when it started. Maybe it was the oversized shoes. Or the face paint. Or perhaps it was that unsettling honk-honk noise. But FDR had an irrational fear of clowns.
And who could blame him?
They look like they’ve come straight from a nightmare where reality is replaced by polka dots and tiny cars.
As a child, FDR was known to avoid circuses altogether. As an adult, he diplomatically avoided any event where clowns might show up.
When reports of clown sightings reached the White House, FDR reportedly went into full lockdown mode. “No, not again,” he’d mutter to his staff, shuddering at the thought of a red nose in the distance.
His fear became legendary. Some say it was the sight of clowns at a White House garden party that pushed him into his famous fireside chats.
Every time a clown’s red nose appeared on his TV, FDR would calmly, but swiftly, change the channel to a more reassuring political speech.
Roosevelt’s handlers had to get creative. If there was a parade, they made sure the clowns were in the back, far, far away. And during wartime, he issued a top-secret directive: “No clowns near the frontlines.”
So there you have it. Franklin D. Roosevelt. Leader of nations. Defender of democracy. And, tragically, a man with an overwhelming fear of clowns.
Some fears are bigger than others.
Disclaimer – Fact Checked – Occasionally by janitor, when he has time. Tonic Calm.com – “Where The News Gets Faker”
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