6. Willie Nelson repeatedly smoked marijuana whilst staying at the White House including on the roof following a concert at the residence
A fan of the latter’s music, Jimmy Carter was a frequent attendee of concerts by country music artist Willie Nelson. Inviting the latter to stay at the White House on several occasions during his presidency, forming a lifelong friendship that would endure to the present day, in 1980 Carter asked Nelson to perform on the South Lawn of the White House. Taking place on September 13, the unusual concert immediately became criticized among conservative circles for First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s allegedly raunchy duet with Nelson, performing a well-received rendition of “Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother” before an enthusiastic audience.
Inviting the musician to stay the night at the White House following his concert, the event raised even more eyebrows after it became rumored Nelson had retired that evening to the roof of the presidential residence to smoke marijuana. Admitting in his biography to not be the first time, stating he smoked a “big fat Austin torpedo” whenever he had stayed at the White House, although Carter had called for the decriminalization of marijuana during the 1976 election the president claimed ignorance regarding his friend’s activities during the visits. Whether true or not, the Secret Service were unquestionable aware and always ensured a close watch was maintained on Nelson during his drug use on the premises.