Beyond the Myth: Bill O’Reilly and Josh Hammer’s ‘Confronting America’ Examines the Human Flaws of U.S. Presidents

In their new book, Confronting America, authors Bill O’Reilly and Josh Hammer argue that contemporary Americans have lost sight of the fundamental values that built the nation into a land of opportunity. According to the authors, no government program can solve this cultural deficit. O’Reilly contends that citizens must "wise up" and prioritize country and community above self-interest if the United States is to reclaim its former standing.

As part of the rollout for this bestselling series, an excerpt from Chapter 12 offers a sharp look at how history has treated the nation’s highest officeholders. While the mythologizing of political figures is far from a modern invention, O’Reilly and Hammer note that today’s media willingly participates in shaping these narratives to fit specific partisan ideologies. Historically, however, a fair share of folklore and romanticized fiction has managed to attach itself to some of America’s most revered leaders, masking complicated human realities behind polished legends.

George Washington and a Fractured Family Dynamic

George Washington remains one of the preeminent heroes in American history—a brilliant military strategist and a foundational president who worked tirelessly to establish the fledgling republic. Yet, the popular mythology surrounding him paints an almost impossibly pristine picture: a man who allegedly never erred, maintained a constant good cheer, and was perpetually dashing, perceptive, and remarkably kind.

The historical record, however, reveals a more complex figure. While Washington’s status as a first-rate leader is undeniable, a look into O’Reilly’s companion work, Confronting the Presidents, uncovers an unexpected familial rift. To the surprise of many, George Washington’s mother, Mary Ball Washington, harbored deep resentment toward her famous son, a tension fueled largely by financial disputes.

Following the death of her husband, Augustine, Mary remained on the expansive Virginia plantation they had shared. Unable to afford the steep costs of maintaining the estate on her own, she repeatedly turned to her son George for financial assistance. However, cash was rarely in abundance for the general. While he was away leading the Continental Army to defeat British forces, his wife, Martha Washington, maintained control of the household funds. This arrangement infuriated Mary Ball Washington, who reportedly penned letters to local Virginia newspapers criticizing her son as "cheap" and "mean."

The situation proved deeply embarrassing and agitating for the general. On February 15, 1787, Washington wrote a pointed letter to his mother advising her to abandon the massive estate, downsize her household staff to just a man and a maid, and live with one of her other children to find peace of mind.

Mary responded to the proposal by suggesting she simply move in with George and Martha at Mount Vernon. Washington quickly rejected the idea in writing, explaining candidly that his home operated much like a bustling tavern, with strangers constantly passing through from the north and south. He warned her that living there would force her into an untenable routine—either constantly dressing to receive guests, walking around in a state of undress, or effectively living as a prisoner in her own room. The breach between the nation’s first president and his mother was never mended, and Washington did not attend her funeral.

Abraham Lincoln, Legal Realities, and the Fight to End Slavery

A similar layer of romanticized mythology surrounds Abraham Lincoln, whose legacy is often presented with saintly perfection. Yet, historical realities reveal a man operating within the deeply flawed legal and social systems of his time, long before his transformation into the Great Emancipator.

During his years practicing law in Illinois, Lincoln represented a Kentucky slave owner named Robert Matson. Five of Matson’s slaves had traveled with him into Illinois, a free state, and subsequently absconded. The resulting legal battle landed in court, where Lincoln argued that slave owners—treating enslaved human beings as legally recognized property—should be permitted to transport their "cargo" anywhere in the country without interference from local authorities.

Lincoln lost the case. The court ultimately ruled that slavery stood in direct contravention of the Illinois Constitution, and the Black family was officially declared free.

This lesser-known legal chapter is rarely featured in standard historical discussions about Lincoln, which overwhelmingly focus on his moral evolution and ultimate sacrifice. Lincoln ultimately gave his life because he remained unyielding in his determination to end slavery in the United States. The assassination at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., carried out by John Wilkes Booth, was motivated directly by the president’s steadfast support for Black freedom. As detailed in O’Reilly’s Killing Lincoln, the immense stress of prosecuting the Civil War and dismantling the institution of slavery took a devastating physical toll on the president’s body. Despite the complexities of his earlier legal career, O’Reilly regards Lincoln as the nation’s finest president.

The broader takeaway from these historical examinations is twofold: people are capable of profound change and redemption, but the cultural tendency to elevate political figures into infallible myths often obscures the genuine human struggle behind their achievements.

Theodore Roosevelt and the Challenges of Parenthood

Perhaps no presidential household matches the domestic chaos surrounding Theodore Roosevelt, who famously detested being called "Teddy"—a nickname that uncomfortably reminded him of his sickly childhood. Instead, he preferred to be addressed as Theodore, Colonel, or Mr. President.

Roosevelt was a formidable executive, but he faced remarkably ordinary and trying family challenges. Following the tragic death of his first wife, Alice, he married Edith, a capable woman who nonetheless struggled to manage six rambunctious children. The most formidable among them was teenager Alice Roosevelt, named after her late mother.

Displaying the hallmarks of what would later be termed juvenile delinquency, the younger Alice shocked her traditional Protestant father by declaring herself a "pagan" and dismissing Christianity as "sheer voodoo." Her social life proved equally scandalous to the administration. Alice frequently roamed the streets of Washington, D.C., partying with unmarried young men, prompting local authorities to occasionally intercept her and return her to the Executive Mansion.

Undeterred, Alice began sneaking young men directly into the White House. When her parents banned her from smoking cigarettes, she simply relocated her habit to the roof of the executive residence.

President Roosevelt famously captured the frustration of parenting his rebellious daughter with a remark that has since entered political lore: "I can either run the country or I can control Alice, but I cannot possibly do both!"

The pranks continued even as the family prepared to leave office. In 1909, as the Roosevelt administration packed its belongings, Alice reportedly buried a voodoo doll of incoming First Lady Nelly Taft in the White House front yard. When the Tafts discovered the figurine upon moving in, they permanently barred Alice from the premises. Unbeknownst to the incoming family, she may have also left behind a pet snake named Emily Spinach inside the house.

The Modern Stakes of Presidential Scrutiny

Examining the realities behind historical figures underscores a persistent challenge for political parties and the media. Throughout American history, accurately reporting on the personal and political deficits of leaders has proven difficult, a problem compounded in the modern era by unprecedented levels of media polarization and public distrust.

Concealing the shortcomings of political leaders, the authors argue, represents a fundamental form of dishonesty. In today’s political climate, where the stakes of governance are higher than ever, citizens must maintain a clear-eyed understanding of the individuals to whom they entrust executive power. Ultimately, the authors warn, the widespread mythologizing of political leaders serves the interests of no one.