Jimmy Carter vs. The Killer Rabbit

It’s April 1979, and President Jimmy Carter is fishing alone in a pond near his hometown of Plains, Georgia, trying to escape the headaches of inflation, Iran, and an upcoming re-election fight. Then, out of nowhere, a hissing, splashing rabbit charges straight at his canoe, paddling like it’s auditioning for the Olympics. Carter grabs a paddle and fends off the “killer rabbit” while Secret Service watches from the shore, unsure whether to laugh or load their weapons. What should have stayed a private, hilarious moment exploded into front-page news, complete with a now-infamous White House photo of the soggy showdown.

The American Presidency: Unfiltered host Brad Pitzl unpacks the entire swamp-rabbit saga: why the press lost its mind, how the incident became late-night punchlines and political ammo for Reagan, and whether the creature was rabid, deranged, or just a very determined bunny with a grudge. From Carter’s own matter-of-fact recounting to the Washington Post’s legendary headline, this is peak presidential absurdity—proof that sometimes the most dangerous threat in the Oval Office comes with floppy ears and a bad attitude.