When Politics Get Personal: Politicians’ Most Insulting Slurs & Feuds

Andrew Jackson Called John Quincy Adams A Bigamist Who Married A Prostitute

While seeking a seat in the House in the early 1800s, Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams ran a tough campaign in which they verbally attacked one another. During a House runoff election in 1824, Adams won despite the fact that Jackson received significantly more popular and electoral votes. Their anger towards each other multiplied in 1828 when they ran against each other once again. Adams’ people called Jackson a bigamist and his wife a hooker, while Jackson’s people claimed Adams promised diplomatic colleagues the use of concubines. Jackson won the election, but his wife died before the inauguration. He blamed her death on Adams’ vicious campaigning.