The First Family Have to Pay for Their Own Food
With prestigious chefs at their fingertips and a White House kitchen to rival that of Michelin-star restaurants, it might surprise you to learn that the first family actually has to pay for their own food. Yes, the president receives a salary like the rest of us – and they ultimately use that money to buy groceries and feed their whole family. In fact, the only food that comes out of the White House’s pocket is the food for state dinners.
So, unless the president and the first family are eating with fellow world leaders, they have to pick up their own tag and pay for their own meals. Who would have thought it?
The First Family Can’t Open Windows in the White House
If you’ve ever been to Washington, D.C., you’ll know that the summers can get pretty warm. But while most people will simply open a window when the temperatures start to rise, you won’t find any of the first family opening a window. After all, they’re not allowed. This was confirmed by Michelle Obama during an interview with Oprah Winfrey when she revealed that her daughter Sasha opened a window without thinking shortly after moving in.
Apparently, the response from the Secret Service and White House staff was so severe that the whole family knew never to try it again. Apparently, this is for safety reasons.
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Only Domestic Wine Is Allowed At the White House
After a long day of running the country, we bet the president and the First Lady love to sit down with a glass of wine in their hands. But you won’t find any South African, French, or Italian wine in the White House. Yes, the first family has to stick to the rule that only domestic wine is allowed at the White House – which means that they have to settle for wines from the likes of California and Virginia.
This has been the case since Gerald Ford took over the presidency, as they want the White House to encapsulate everything it means to be an American living and working in America.
Generally, the First Family Isn’t Allowed a Role in the Administration
There’s the President of the United States, and then there’s the first family. And while both are allowed to call the White House home, rules state that there should be a distinction between the two of them – especially when it comes to the day-to-day running of the country. According to the rules, members of the first family aren’t allowed any formal roles within the administration. Not every president has abided by these rules, though.
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During his stint in office, former President Trump chose to keep his work-life balance close by hiring his daughter, Ivanka, as his personal assistant and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner as his senior advisor.
The First Family Has to Cover the Moving Costs
Anyone who has ever moved house will know that it’s not cheap. Just the transportation of furniture from one home to another can cost a small fortune – and that’s something the first family can understand, too. Although you might assume that the administration would cover their moving costs – or at least help them move their belongings into the house – they wipe their hands of such a task.
The president and his family not only have to pay for movers to get the job done, but they have to organize it all, too. And we bet that’s not easy to coordinate with the Secret Service.
The First Children Aren’t Allowed to Drive
Security is a big topic in the White House, and the safety of the president and the first family is a matter of national security. Because of this, they have whole teams of people who spend their days keeping them safe – and this applies to the roads, too. That’s one of the reasons why presidents and their families aren’t allowed to drive on public roads. Yes, even the kids.
Although many first children turn driving age while living in the White House, they’re not allowed to drive a car at all. Plus, they’re not allowed to get in cars driven by their friends.
The First Family Pay for Their Food at Camp David, Too
If you’re still not over the fact that the president and his family have to pay for their own groceries and food at the White House, we’re here to tell you that the same rules apply at Camp David, too. If the president and his family choose to visit Camp David of their own accord – say, for a little break or vacation – they are once again expected to pay for their own food.
If the president has been called to Camp David for official presidential work, however, the rules can be broken. In that instance, the administration will pay for the food instead.
The Reason Why a Specific George Washington Portrait Must Never Be Removed
Many of the rules and regulations in the White House focus on the people living inside of it. However, there are also many rules regarding the White House as a whole. After all, the first family doesn’t own it – which means that the federal government is in charge of almost every aspect of the house. And one of the biggest rules they have is that George Washington’s portrait must never be removed.
This is to commemorate the sacrifice of Dolly Madison – the wife of James Madison – who saved the portrait when the White House burned down in 1812. To this day, it’s the only original piece of furniture remaining.
The First Children Are Often Sent to Private School
Being the son or daughter of the president of the United States comes with certain privileges. And while living in the White House is one of them, being sent to private school is another. This is primarily for their safety but also to give the kids the chance to grow up around others who are in the public eye – so they don’t seem so out of place. This hasn’t always been the case, though.
Although almost every president has stuck to this rule over the years, former President Jimmy Carter decided to break from convention and send his daughter Amy to public school instead.
One Week Into Their Presidency, the President Has to Plan Their Funeral
We imagine that winning an election, becoming president of the United States, and then moving your whole family into the White House can be pretty daunting. But the president doesn’t have time to chill out or explore the neighborhood after moving. Just one week into their presidency, they’re tasked with planning their own funeral. After all, their death would set in motion a chain of events that could change the country for good.
It must be pretty morbid to plan your own funeral just one week into your new job, but this is something every president must complete before they can really get stuck into the work.
They’re Not Allowed to Open Car Windows
As we already know that the first family can’t open windows in the White House, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that they’re not allowed to open the windows in the car, either. Instead, they have to rely on the car’s air-con to keep them cool so they don’t make themselves vulnerable to attack. As every White House car is equipped with bulletproof glass, just a small crack can make a big difference.
While we’re sure this was something the first family gets used to the longer they live there, we can’t help but think they crave the fresh air on longer journeys.
The First Family Is Given a Decorating Allowance
While we already know that the first family is allowed to redecorate the White House when they move in, what you might not realize is that they don’t necessarily have to dip into their own pockets – or wallets – to do this. When a new president and their first family move into the White House, they are actually given a decorating allowance to make these changes, and this money is given to them by Congress.
This allowance changes with each presidency, but one thing we do know is that it’s got bigger and bigger as the years have gone by. John Adams was allowed $14,000 in 1800, and Bill Clinton had a budget of $100,000 in the late 1990s.
The First Family Must Pick up After Their Dogs
Living in such a big house must be lonely, which is why so many first families choose to add a family pet to the White House. And while a few cats have called the White House home over the years, dogs have been the most popular choice. Of course, anyone who has ever had a dog will know that they require a certain amount of care and attention – especially when they need to use the bathroom.
But while you might assume that there’s White House staff on hand to pick up these presidential pooches, that isn’t the case at all. Instead, all first families are required to pick up after their dogs.
The First Children Have to Have Secret Service Detail at All Times
It probably won’t surprise you to learn that first children don’t have the same kind of freedom as other kids their age. Every move has to be signed off by the Secret Service, and they can’t just head to Dunkin’ Donuts after school with their friends. But while you might have already assumed that they have to have Secret Service detail at all times, you might not have realized that this continues after their parents’ time in office has come to an end.
If they wanted to, these kids could have security for the rest of their lives. But when they turn 16 they get to choose whether this is something they want or not – and most choose not.
First Children Aren’t Allowed to Have Social Media Accounts
When you live in the White House, your actions reflect the whole country. And as it would be impossible to control every post, like, or comment that members of the first family make, the rules state that they’re just not allowed social media accounts at all. This rule includes all kinds of social media, from Facebook to Instagram and even TikTok. After all, their press teams would have a field day if they had them.
We do have to wonder how many first children have attempted to make a finsta without getting caught, though. It must be hard when all of your friends use social media and you can’t.
Some First Children Have To Make Their Own Beds
One of the perks of living in the White House is that there are housekeeping staff to keep the whole place running smoothly. In addition to cleaning official government areas, these staff members are also tasked with cleaning the first family’s living quarters. And while this could include the making of beds, it seems as though some former first children have had to make their own beds in the past.
When the Obama family moved into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Michelle Obama made the housekeeping staff swear that they wouldn’t make Malia or Sasha’s beds in an effort to teach them basic life skills.
The Past and Current Presidents Always Meet After the Election
While there’s no doubt about the fact that the president of the United States has a big job on his hands, many of their daily tasks are also dictated by tradition and the upkeep of appearances. Because of this, the past and current presidents always have to meet after the election as a way to symbolise the passing of the torch and the presidency from one president to another president.
While this must be an awkward turn of events, the presidents always save face and keep smiling during this White House appearance. We wonder what they actually talk about, though?
First Ladies Have to Have a Code Name
Anyone who has watched any television show or movie that focuses on the security of world leaders will know that code names are a must. These names are used by their security detail so that they can talk about the world leader in public without giving away any sensitive information. Of course, this is also the case for the President of the United States, the First Lady, and the First Family. It’s not known how the Secret Service come up with these code names, though.
In the past, code names have come in many shapes and forms. Jackie Kennedy’s code name was Lace, Michelle Obama’s code name was Renaissance, and Melania Trump’s code name was Muse.
Official First Family Social Media Account Have to Be Passed Down
Although members of the first family aren’t allowed any personal social media accounts, some choose to have ‘official’ accounts which are controlled by the administration. This gives them a chance to build up a following, promote their parents, and bring light to causes that they hold dear. They normally have these accounts for the entirety of their stint in the White House, and they can become extremely popular with fans across the globe.
However, when their time is up and they have to move out of the White House, they can’t take these accounts with them. Instead, they are passed down to the next first family.
The First Family Is Allowed to Redecorate, but Not Everywhere
When you move to a new house, you want to put your stamp on it. You want to decorate it in a way that suits your style and your aesthetic, and you want it to feel like a home. Thankfully, the first family are allowed to do just that when they move into the White House. They have the chance to use an interior designer or their own ideas to redecorate their living quarters – but that doesn’t mean that they can redecorate everywhere.
The state dining room, the Green Room, and the Lincoln Bedroom are strictly off-limits when it comes to redecorating, as these are considered historical and state rooms. So, any changes have to be fully approved first.
The First Family Must Choose a Theme for the White House Christmas Tree
Festive holidays are a big deal in the White House, and the president and their family are expected to uphold certain traditions during this time. And when Christmas comes around, the first family is in charge of decorating the famous White House Christmas tree. They can’t just go rogue and decorate it based on their own tastes, though. Instead, they must choose and stick to a single theme that would overtake the tree.
The first lady is typically in charge of this decision, and it’s a decision that isn’t taken lightly. In the past, the theme has been heavily criticized, but the public has particularly loved Jackie Kennedy’s The Nutcracker theme and Melania Trump’s ‘time-honored traditions’ theme.
First Ladies Have to Fill Their Own Closets
The First Lady of the United States has always been well-dressed. But since Jackie Kennedy paved the way for first lady fashion, these women are expected to look their best at all times. In fact, they’re often torn down by the media for wearing the same outfit twice. As a result, you might expect the first ladies to receive an allowance for their clothes – but that’s not the case. First ladies are expected to fill their own closets with their own money.
The only exception to this is if they are attending an official White House event, in which case the U.S. government can accept clothing gifts from designers. However, this gift has to be officially noted and approved before it can be worn.
The First Family Stays in Blair House Before the White House
There are a lot of traditions when it comes to the presidency. One that has yet to be broken is the tradition that presidents-elect and their families will always stay in Blair House the night before the inauguration. This tradition has been upheld for decades and is seen as a ritual they have to complete before they get to officially move into the White House. We bet they’re not too mad about it, though.
Blair House is considered to be the guest house of the White House and is primarily used to house foreign dignitaries and guests. So, you know it’s going to be extremely fancy and well cared for.
The First Family Gets Access To an Unmanned Kitchen, Too
If you had to choose between making your own meals for the rest of your life or having a professional chef do it, we’re going to assume that you’d opt for the latter. And having a personal chef is one of the major perks of living in the White House. But in the past, first family members have craved normal food – and food that they’ve made themselves. So, they now have access to an unmanned kitchen, too.
This kitchen is located near the family’s private living quarters and is theirs alone to use whenever and however they want. Apparently, Hillary Clinton used to love making breakfast in there for her family.
The First Lady Doesn’t Have to Be the President’s Wife – One President Had His Niece as First Lady
When you think of the first lady, you probably think of the wife of the president. And while this is the case the majority of the time, it’s important to note that this isn’t always the way things work. The first lady doesn’t have to be married to the president, and she doesn’t even have to be the president’s romantic partner. In fact, the President of the United States can choose anyone to be their first lady if they are a widower or they don’t have a partner at all.
This was seen when widower Martin Van Buren gave his daughter-in-law the title of First Lady and when singleton James Buchanan opted to call his niece the First Lady of the United States.
First Family Children Are Allowed to Host Prom at the White House
One thing we know for sure is that first children don’t live normal lives. Sure, their parents try to make their lives as normal as possible, but the reality is that they’re always going to be different to their peers. And while this can be a major downside of life in the White House, there are also some perks that they get to take advantage of if they really want to.
That’s because first children can host their prom at the White House if they choose to. That’s exactly what Gerald Ford’s daughter did in 1975, after all. This has to be paid for by the school, though.
Apparently, First Families Can Leave the White House Without Cleaning It Up
When you move out of your house, there’s a high chance that you will spend a huge amount of time cleaning it up for the next owners. Doing so is a courtesy that allows the new owners to move in without any fuss. But this same train of thought doesn’t matter when you’re the President of the United States, as the first family can move out of the White House without cleaning it up.
It’s been reported that when Barack and Michelle Obama moved in, there were leftover pet pee stains on the carpet. But, apparently, that’s down to the White House staff to sort out.
Official Dinners Are Paid For by Taxpayers
In the White House, there are things the first family pays for, and then there are things the government – and, ultimately, the taxpayers – pay for. And while taxpayers pay for official dinners, the same can’t be said for the first family’s personal dinners and essentials. In fact, they receive a bill at the end of each month that outlines everything they owe the White House for that month.
This doesn’t just include food and groceries, though. This also includes basic essentials such as toothpaste, toilet paper, and more. The White House won’t fit the bill for those things, after all.
The First Ladies First Meet After the Election
Although the president of the United States can still run the country without a spouse by their side, it’s fair to say that first ladies become almost as famous as their husbands. They become a symbol of the United States, and they become an extension of the president. Because of this, the rules state that first ladies always have to meet each other for the first time after the election.
While the exact purpose of this meeting is not known, it’s believed that this is a chance for celebration and perhaps even the exchange of advice for the woman leaving the White House and the woman set to move in.
Spending Time On the White House Roof Is Allowed
When you live in a place like the White House, you’d assume that there are a lot of rules about where you can and can’t go. And while the Secret Service often monitors the first family’s movements, it seems as though the first children have found a loophole over the years. As if sneaking away from their security detail wasn’t bad enough, these kids also sneak onto the roof of the White House.
From first kisses with boyfriends to listening to music, countless former first children have claimed that they made their way onto the White House roof when they weren’t supposed to.
The First Family Doesn’t Have Access To Any Private Entrances or Exits
Even though the president and first family call the White House their home during the president’s term in office, it’s first and foremost a very fancy office. It’s home to countless government workers, and big decisions are made there every day. Because of this, it’s generally treated as more of an office than a home – and there aren’t even any private entrances and exits for the first family to use.
Instead, they have to use the formal and official entrances and exits that everyone else has to use – meaning that they can’t sneak in if they miss their curfew.
They Get to Watch Movies Before They’re Even Released
Sure, living in the White House and having to run a whole country is probably pretty stressful at times, but they still get to experience some perks that only first families get to enjoy. In fact, Hollywood hotshots regularly send movies to the president and their family before they’ve even been released in theaters for them to watch before the rest of the country. And it’s said that they take full advantage of this.
It’s been reported that President Bush, John F. Kennedy, and Jimmy Carter would spend their downtime watching these new movies in the White House – and they certainly had their favorites.
Sliding Down Banisters Is Allowed
Moving into the White House must be pretty daunting – especially if you have kids. By taking children away from their family home and to a place like the White House, you just don’t know what’s going to happen. You also don’t know whether your children will enjoy living somewhere with so many rules and regulations. But it seems as though first children have made fun for themselves over the years.
Apparently, the first children have been sliding down the many bannisters in the White House for decades – and the staff don’t tell them off for it. Instead, they turn a blind eye.
First Families Leaving the White House Don’t Have To Take Everything With Them
When you’re president of the United States – or related to the president of the United States – you get a lot of things for free. You also have to buy a lot of things to keep up appearances. And while some first families take all of that extra stuff with them to their next house post-presidency, others want to leave some behind. Thankfully, there is a place for that.
All former first families have access to a high-end storage facility somewhere in the White House where they can store anything they want. And we bet it’s full of so much history.
First Children Are Allowed to Decorate Their Own Rooms
Being a child and growing up in the White House must feel pretty odd. While we’re sure the White House is an amazing place, it probably doesn’t feel like home – which is why we like this next rule. After all, first children are allowed to decorate their own personal rooms as they see fit, which gives them the freedom to create a safe haven that suits them and their style perfectly.
While we don’t know how former first children have decorated in the past, we bet they’ve all been happy to have their own slice of home when they’re away from home.
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