Gerald Ford inaugural address: August 9, 1974

Gerald Ford delivered his inaugural address on August 9, 1974, after President Richard Nixon's resignation. Watch Ford's full remarks.

[@martyjackson4166]

Y’know, Ford wasn’t a bad President. Had he not been associated with Nixon, I think he would have had been a much more respected one. He did a lot to restore faith in the Presidency and government after Nixon did a number on both. Even with the pardon of Nixon, he probably became the most accountable President in a long time.

[@raymond6646]

Nixon wasn’t a bad president neither

[@kool-aidman3966]

Nixon was a amazing president

[@christiannguegang3597]

Nixon did a lot of progressive stuff that would make him a democrat today. Ford was the same thing a progressive who would be a democrat today

[@samarmisra4922]

@@raymond6646 though Nixon was involved in Watergate Scandal as really tainted him huge.

[@sven7037]

he was terrible

[@mattsheridan0103]

Gerald Ford was a Great American. Not the best speaker, but an honest and decent man. Who helped restore faith in Our Republic. I only hope that We The People, do the same in our current circumstances.

[@paulfrost8895]

Ford was an ok president ' he was unaware of Nixons scandals ' Jimmy Carter was the best president in my book ' and Reagan wasn't bad either.

[@RealRealist515]

LOL🎉😂

[@pneulancer]

I agree. Pardoning Richard Nixon was necessary at the time for the country to move forward. Gerald Ford was more than up to the task of being President. He was ethical.....(for a politician) and quite intelligent in spite of the public persona he put out of being a little "slow". He was a steady and calming influence to help ease the nation's return to normalcy after Watergate.

[@o0o_OutCast_o0o]

@@paulfrost8895 As time marches on and information trickles down, it seems there was a scandal, but it didn't belong to Nixon.

[@thebestgamer4106]

​@o0o_OutCast_o0o nixon didn't order Watergate to happen but he did cover it up

[@ckersh74]

Looking at it 40+ years later, I think he had to pardon Nixon, to end the Watergate scandal once and for all. He committed political suicide in the process, but in the long run, it was probably the best thing for the country, even though it cost him dearly personally.

[@roywallace3492]

it certainly didnt cost him the election, didnt help, but it wasnt that cut him off. Pardoning him, although most likely the hardest decision any ever had to make in that decade, was ultimately the right thing to do. God help us

[@Robin-zb8qy]

a good man. as president, he did the best he could.

[@williampremo3096]

Ford must've felt like a chump when Nixon told David frost if the president does it it's legal. Might have had second thoughts.

[@Fireglo]

Or maybe Ford was simply a president nobody wanted. He inherited the role, he was never elected.

[@raymond6646]

Philip Greenwald “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration”

[@bradyfry8031]

Like Harry Truman, Ford was an unlikely president who was sworn into the presidency at a difficult and serious time, neither were very popular when they left office but are very much respected today.

[@t.connerproductionsinc.8046]

R.I.P Gerald Ford (1913-2006)

[@cullenhobbs9852]

McGannahan Skyjellyfetti same with my dad

[@Jaydog11]

And R.I.P George HW Bush

[@buzzyboy7599]

@@cullenhobbs9852 i have question what did he do for this country

[@kool-aidman3966]

i signed the helsinki accords and thats the reason why your alive fellow citezen and also vietnam atacked fellow californians and texas and illinois and protected all and succeded

[@buzzyboy7599]

@@kool-aidman3966 you got the link of some documentary

[@schrollG]

Ford was a good man. He was a healer when the nation needed healing desperately. It was a shame he was never elected in his own right. People voted for Carter in 1976 because Ford was “guilty by association” simply because he had been Nixon’s Vice President, and Ford’s bid in 1976 was weakened by a serious challenge from Ronald Reagan. The pardon was a necessary evil; a prolonged trial of Nixon would have weakened the country even more. Carter’s victory in 1976 was a mistake; Carter may have been a nice guy but he was a weak leader. Ford was tough and much more experienced and qualified.

[@DirtFlyer]

Ford was never to be seen again after his Presidency. Carter was a diplomat and humanitarian long, long after his presidency. Carter was a deeply good man. The people were right to be suspicious of Ford after Nixon's former vice president Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace due to corruption, and like Nixon...he was the first vice president ever to be forced to do so. That whole administration was a disgrace and an everlasting stain on the history of the United States. Thank God Ford wasn't re-elected and we weren't forced to drag the nightmare on for another 4 years!

[@j.chiari4222]

Maybe North Vietnam wouldn't invade the South, maybe no Iranian Revolution, Reagan and Laissez-faire economics get delayed, worsening the 70s economic issues. Who knows what might have been?

[@21chesterarthur]

@@DirtFlyer Reagan! Two landslides in 1980 and 1984, the first chased Carter away.

[@flaconpaca6889]

Rest in peace gerald ford you were a great president Gerald Ford 1913-2006

[@88mphsss]

This needs to be taught more often in history classes because it's probably the closest example of our system of government going into full effect, outside maybe Washington himself. And wow he sounds nervous! Probably the biggest mess dropped in someone's lap since Truman/Lincoln.

[@DirtFlyer]

Truman/Lincoln??? Those President's served in different centuries, so I'm not sure what you're talking about.

[@GilDice]

Herbert Hoover would like to know your location

[@HVACSoldier]

@Mr. Graves If a President resigned in the middle of a term, amid scandal, the Vice President would become President. If it happened TODAY, the opposition party would probably demand that the VP be investigated before being sworn in.

[@samarmisra4922]

@@HVACSoldier interesting you say that. Wonder who was House Speaker then meaning who was in Nancy P's position then?

[@HVACSoldier]

@@samarmisra4922 Carl Albert was Speaker of the House from 1961 to 1977. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Albert

[@danielwindham2457]

What I wouldn't give for any one in the current administration to be able to speak to the public like this.

[@AustinsEdits]

You talking about joe biden right? Cause trump speaks in public weekly to this very day.

[@Leviajohnson]

say what you want about ford, I kinda miss when presidents were so humble and professional about stuff like this

[@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti1663]

Gerald Ford became Vice President and then President ALL in less than ONE year: DECEMBER 6, 1973 - VICE PRESIDENT AUGUST 8, 1974 - PRESIDENT...

[@hurleybot]

Presidential speed running

[@martymcdonough1111]

5:03 great moment in history, and then great mercy at 5:58

[@Twotontessie]

That was beautiful. During the pardon speech another beautiful moment (paraphrasing): And finally, Richard Nixon and his family have suffered, and will continue to suffer, no matter what I do. No matter what we as a nation can do to make his dream of peace come true.

[@michaelmilici981]

I was 2 month old.. My grandmother was watching while rocking me...

[@jjeannef227]

no one caes. I was 6

[@nemamodgeddi5338]

How cute!

[@samarmisra4922]

Love that!

[@michaelmilici981]

@@jjeannef227 Spell it right

[@Springbok314]

The right man at precisely the right time in the history of the republic.

[@ernestkovach3305]

One of top 3 President Inaugual addresses.

[@williamelgin6873]

Yes and much like Lincoln's second, just the right length.

[@samarmisra4922]

Carter's was amazing too!!!

[@timothyernest6429]

Yup.

[@21chesterarthur]

Reagan in 1981!

[@stevendinapoli1239]

I always thought that President Ford was a decent man. I always thought he was a good President. From his first acceptance speech, he showed humility and honesty as he entered a very important job under difficult and unusual circumstances. He took on the challenge as well as anyone could. I was disappointed when he was defeated in the following election.

[@ColdSid]

Would have beaten carter if he didn’t pardon Nixon

[@WilliamStoneContentZone]

A guy called Lamont nah

[@lanceschaina3084]

That's what the news media and many historians say. But I lived through the 60s and 70s. The LAST thing Americans wanted at that time was a long trial of Nixon. He resigned, he was a broken man, all of his co-conspirators went to prison, Nixon did NOT pardon any of them. That was enough.

[@Mantis42]

@@lanceschaina3084 why did ford's approval rating drop 30 points when he pardon him then?

[@samarmisra4922]

Wow...if that would have happened then Ford could only have served another term only from 77 to 81 right?

[@Mantis42]

@@samarmisra4922 Correct. Ford had served more than two years of Nixon's second term so he was only eligible to serve one more 4 year term.

[@WaynePryce-v6g]

Nice post!!!! Thanks for the throw back Television History of This Great Nation United States of America!!! So....Betty Ford 1st lady 1974 wife of Mr. President Gerald was mentioned in a Simpsons episode in tribute to a musical mentioning her Betty Ford foundation which is a organization that helps Americans with Mental health and rehabilitation along with Addiction Recovery

[@bigbubba29]

He was wonderful

[@samarmisra4922]

Love his speech...made me cry truly. Btw, was there an inaugural ball on this day for Pres Ford and 1st Lady Betty?(Silly question)

[@Twotontessie]

Very strange time - president that was not elected, not even as VP. Then took it for the team and lost his most realistic chance to be elected. We should always be grateful for his service and selflessness.

[@themeat8624]

We need a president like Ford now.

[@21chesterarthur]

As we Germans need a second Helmut Schmidt. But, as you have Biden, we have Scholz...............same situation.

[@jamesbedukodjograham5508]

Gerald Ford was a great President who sought the welfare of all American. He will be remembered for eternity and for ever. He is a symbol of fortitude against all odds within our World.

[@blankfaceduser3596]

Apparently, he was not built Ford® tough.

[@bradbaker8336]

Powerful

[@TheSnowballEarth]

Gerald Ford bridged the Nixon-Carter presidencies as Bob Welch bridged the Peter Green-Lindsey Buckingham periods of Fleetwood Mac. If anyone can give me a better analogy I'm open. Cheers.

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales7218]

Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., nacido con el nombre de Leslie Lynch King, Jr. (Omaha, Nebraska; 14 de julio de 1913-Rancho Mirage, California; 26 de diciembre de 2006), fue el trigésimo octavo presidente de los Estados Unidos, que ejerció el cargo desde el 9 de agosto de 1974 hasta el 20 de enero de 1977, tras la dimisión de Richard Nixon por el escándalo Watergate.

[@bradbaker8336]

Well said

[@blankfaceduser3596]

R.I.P., Gerald Ford. You could have made better Cars though. I mean, really.

[@thomasaguilar8389]

50 years ago today

[@thereviewhostedbyethancyga7983]

Amazing

[@andrewblair255]

Just visited his Presidential Library in Grand Rapids. Highly recommend.

[@Lifeskeyishappiness]

"Hi my name is Gerald Ford, do you like football?"

[@samarmisra4922]

Love that

[@geoffwilliams4478]

"You and are gonna get along just..." *both* *fall* *down* Both-"Doh!"

[@futureshock7425]

and he pardoned Nixon!

[@michaelj.r457]

5:03 I am surprised I came here first after the big news today.

[@timothyernest6429]

Eloquent. Truth is the glue that binds our government ...He was the most honest and humble US President in our nation's history.

[@rogerleereedjr2924]

I like this. (I'm 26yrs old)

[@henriquepaesmoraes4845]

July 10, 2023 Gerald Ford Date of birth: July 14, 1913 Date of death: December 26, 2006 (aged 93)

[@LauraSommer]

He was like our bipartisan King, God Bless Him ❤

[@burgermister7580]

Thank you

[@erikestrada1544]

Jerry Ford and Bob Dole we're the last of the IKE Republicans.

[@carolannmileshughes7922]

Nobody is perfect but he definitely tried to heal the Nation, with a sense of humor and class. I still don't tolerate heathen small or great. 🎉🎉

[@CrisisMoon7]

6:22 he was very nervous, damn

[@GilDice]

Friend "Hey, what's going on?" Me "President Ford is giving his inaugural address." Friend "How's that going?" -Ford On Video- "I know you didn't vote for me." Me "... Oh, I don't think it's going good."

[@henriquepaesmoraes4845]

August 9, 1974 Gerald Ford Date of birth: July 14, 1913 (age 61)

[@FlintyCobblestone]

We need President Ford today. Or, Nixon. Or, Reagan. Or, Eisenhower.

[@aldrintiqui1892]

For me for the first time in history the former president nixon to choose former vice president Ford and former president nixon to assume office president Ford August 9 1974 until his retire to complete nixon administration to complete his terms January 20 1977

[@lactoseintolerantpig5916]

o7 Gerald ford, this inauguration is poggies

[@tennesseexiong1570]

i❤ all my president

[@Riccardo_Bartoccini]

Linarolo, Pavia 1974

[@silver6380]

Biden needs to quote 5:03 in his inaugural address if he wins.

[@davidfigueroa8188]

Nah, more like 1:06

[@JR7noir]

Jaja Trump fue un dictador?

[@BigWheel.]

@@davidfigueroa8188 AYY LMAO

[@srujan00]

Forwards, not backwards! Upward, not forward!

[@BJP77]

Ford should have been elected to a full term. If Reagan had been nominated Reagan would have defeated Jimmy Carter in 1976.

[@tennesseexiong1570]

my president

[@thelastrevolutionary8093]

He is among the few Republicans that I like because I am quite liberal liberal and have radical views because me and conservatives just don’t get along

[@jimmyjohnson6663]

100 ! 💯 ♥️

[@D3v1ne_Skvllz]

FERAL GOURD FERAL GOURDFERAL GOURD FERAL GOURD

[@jenniferbundy9037]

38. Ford

[@ShakespeareCafe]

MICHIGAN GO BLUE! Leaders and the Best

[@volcanicsour]

bookworm

[@gabrielareyesvilla7409]

4:41-5:35

[@refrenlix]

Find ye slop of joys

[@pindy.thegamer]

Gerald R Ford died 2006

[@geoffwilliams4478]

The year I graduated High School

[@dr.roberts4508]

A effective 8:00 minutes

[@vincentjacobsson3981]

I think it should be investigated if the American states now and then are legislated with the Bible written as a story. The word immunity (Latin immunitas, freedom from obligations to the state) comes from a religious revelation from the middle ages, most likely from a pope to become lawless, and which has since been rewritten into sovereign, absolute, and qualified immunity (legally, cannot be prosecuted for criminal act) to the president, senate (origin, the Roman Empire), congress, cabinet, and Supreme Court for law decisions and actions. It should also be investigated if fallen soldiers were elected by the people or not. The political exploitation of the vital ecosystem has now led to forest death (force majeure) how will it affect people's economy, etc. I also think The Democratic party can be a consciously misleading party name with all parties belonging to The Republican party, as current political democracy and socialism can only be about going more toward the middle, e.g. The Democrats for law decisions and actions, even with the misleading word professional politician. Furthermore, I think the people should consider voting for a real democratic party with an independent state formation to investigate if the president, parties, senate (origin, the Roman Empire), congress, cabinet, and Supreme Court overall may be guilty of a violation of democratic rights with misleading elections, serious economic crimes, violation of human rights with class society for adults and children, and serious environmental crime (force majeure).

[@Jack-yw7bq]

5:23 But there is a higher power Gerald Ford was referring to God

[@bradbaker8336]

But Yahuah in the name of Yahushua now Yahuah you will be

[@keric-d7h]

1:18

[@youtubethienao508]

Câu cá rô đồng ở trước kênh.

[@csanderson5163]

Ford Dole 76

[@johngillespie8353]

Perhaps Biden brought you here. Lol

[@naishabatchu]

No funny things..

[@markrowe3013]

💯🌠😱🌠🌠⚡⚡🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

[@gotch09]

Gerald Ford-the accidental President.

[@mhertz2563]

He got all choked up when he was talking about Nixon. Wonder why that was?

[@siononalundula1699]

mhertz25 because he knew him on a personal level and it was painful for him to see someone that he had known and respected for so long having to resign the presidency in disgrace.

[@georgekleinfelter7041]

​@@siononalundula1699 Wise and accurate reply to the usual conspiracy-mongering post that's become all-too-familiar in the endless sewer that is social media. It's heartening to see that there are 6x the number "likes" for this reply than for the original, pathetic post.

[@davidjatt3251]

I fell asleep.

[@jey70yearsago63]

David Jatt you feel *AsLeEp* ?

[@timothyernest6429]

Then you are either a rock, lying, or a dunce imo. His speech was both eloquent and inspiring.

[@michaelfrazier629]

He had no charisma 😂

[@switchman368]

tax evasion poggies

[@dougdougsnacks]

And Richard Nixon did nothing wrong, that was all fake news

[@teodytrinidad9497]

Your Generals have attacked a Continent How much is your Wife who you have given access Food shortages around the World The continents you have attacked The value of your wife have not given additional to any Poverty you have caused

[@teodytrinidad9497]

Air force one in space mission how much you have caused?

[@teodytrinidad9497]

As your wife drained France

[@teodytrinidad9497]

I don't need to be Honored if it's from The Canada where you have hid

[@teodytrinidad9497]

Promised Land

[@Corey-dy2cq]

LBJ: Jerruh? Ahm gon needya tuh move that bullet up 4 inches or ahm gon hafta tell Edgar to expose your whorin at that place in DC. Yuh folluh? Jerruh "I can't chew bubba gum and faht at the same time" Ford: Uh yes mister president I follow. LBJ as if it was the most normal conversation he ever had: Ok Jerruh, say how are the kids? How's Betty? You should bring them by more often to see me! Jerruh: Ah...oh...yes mr president I will be sure and bring them by. Uh I uh, thank you mr president. LBJ: Ok Jerruh........hangs up phone without saying goodbye in true LBJ narcissist fashion.

[@riggedbyjr]

Will Biden be so gracious at his speech? I think not! No, the World will see 'his' character also.

[@raymondsolisjr.1262]

This dude was just as big a crook as Nixon

[@buzzyboy7599]

What did he do for the country tho

[@mcapple7651]

@@buzzyboy7599 He worked very hard to restore faith in the government. He was the first pres to testify in front of congress, and let a photographer photograph him at any moment, anywhere. Obviously, most other things did not go as well. Its a very good thing he was put up against Carter and his big mouth, or he would have lost in a landslide.

[@buzzyboy7599]

@@mcapple7651 but like what news law did he made ? Or what did try to do for this country or did put alot jobs for this country?

[@timothyernest6429]

Nope . Along with Washington , Lincoln , Jefferson , and Carter , . This President was the most honest , genuine and ...of all President's the most humble and forgiving.

[@NaniceEllis]

Pres. Gerald Ford ended the cold bar between the U.S and Russia, and he also got American soldiers out of Vietnam. On November 24, 1974, in the conference hall of the Okeansky Sanitarium, Vladivostok, USSR, President Ford and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT-treaty, following talks on the limitation of strategic offensive arms. In March 1975, during the final days of the Vietnam War, Ford ordered the airlift of about 237,000 Vietnamese refugees to the United States. Two months later, on May 14, 1975, Ford ordered U.S. forces to retake the S.S. Mayaguez after its seizure by Cambodia, an action Ford characterized as an "act of piracy."

[@NaniceEllis]

Here's Gerald Ford's biography: www.imdb.com/name/nm0004934/bio Pertinent to today, take note that Ford ended the cold war between the U.S and Russia. On November 24, 1974, in the conference hall of the Okeansky Sanitarium, Vladivostok, USSR, President Ford and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT-treaty, following talks on the limitation of strategic offensive arms.

[@Breakfastman343MIC]

I thought he would sound like goofy

[@WaynePryce-v6g]

Nice post!!!! Thanks for the throw back Television History of This Great Nation United States of America!!! So....Betty Ford 1st lady 1974 wife of Mr. President Gerald was mentioned in a Simpsons episode in tribute to a musical mentioning her Betty Ford foundation which is a organization that helps Americans with Mental health and rehabilitation along with Addiction Recovery

[@mrlolmaster1019]

50 years ago today