Throughout American history, leaders have frequently faced sexual allegations, from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump. Particularly, Trump's image has repeatedly come under scrutiny. But these controversies are not new; they echo back to the complex and older issues surrounding Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson, famous for his words 'All men are created equal,' was accused of having a sexual relationship with an underage slave named Sally Hemings, resulting in several children. Jefferson eventually freed their children, but Hemings remained trapped for decades.
When Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, the phrase 'All men are created equal' became iconic and is still considered America's strength today. As the third U.S. President, Jefferson publicly opposed slavery, yet he was a slave owner, including minors. Sally Hemings, an African American teenager who came by inheritance, was part of this reality, her family being owned by the Jeffersons.
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Sally was assigned domestic duties, but Jefferson exploited her sexually. According to writers of that era, their relationship began when Sally was about 14 and Jefferson was 44, resulting in several children. Despite Jefferson’s powerful image, this controversy remained relatively silent.
Many have documented this exploitation. Annette Gordon-Reed's 'Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy' is considered a comprehensive account of these events. It suggests Sally Hemings repeatedly sought freedom, but Jefferson constrained her opportunities, offering only minor liberties like choosing her attire and engaging socially, rare for slaves at that time.
Jefferson gradually emancipated their four children, and though Sally was freed after his death, speculations persisted. Modern DNA testing later corroborated the claims of their relationship.
Why No Action Despite Controversy?
At the time, slavery was legal in most American states. Slaves were treated as property, not individuals with rights. Owners commonly formed sexual relationships with female slaves, and such acts weren’t classified as crimes. Slaves who attempted to voice grievances had no judicial recourse, explaining the lack of public uproar concerning Jefferson. However, political circles often whispered about it.
Source: aajtak
Finally, in January 2000, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello released a report, asserting the matter as settled. DNA evidence had confirmed the connection, yet given the case's historical nature, no new laws applied to it—the incident faded with time as both victim and offender were long gone.
The White House has seen numerous scandals that garnered global attention. President Bill Clinton's affair with intern Monica Lewinsky is the most infamous. Clinton initially denied it but eventually admitted the truth post-DNA confirmation. He faced impeachment, yet his tenure remained secure due to political backing.
Current leader Trump faced allegations of an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels, allegedly paying her to stay silent. Although hush money isn't illegal in the U.S., Trump was accused of misreporting the payouts as business expenses.
