HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — During Monday's press gaggle in front of a New York City courthouse, the setting for the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville took prosecutors to task for how they addressed Trump throughout the trial thus far.
"I'm disappointed in the courtroom," Tuberville said in video from Fox News Channel the senator shared. "I'm hearing 'Mr. Trump, Mr. Trump.' He is former President Trump - give him some respect. I mean, that's what that place is in there - it's no respect."
The honorific of a head of state no longer in office has long been mired in confusion - so let's VERIFY.
THE QUESTION
Is it disrespectful to refer to a former president by "Mister"?
OUR SOURCES
- The Emily Post Institute - an organization devoted to etiquette 'based on consideration, respect and honesty'
- Former Presidents Act
- The AP Stylebook
THE ANSWER
The proper way to address a former president depends on the setting and style of the conversation or reference.
WHAT WE FOUND
Emily Post literally wrote the book on "Etiquette," and since then her organization has kept up a lengthy database about the proper way to behave and speak in virtually every situation. In their section on How to Address a Former President, they write:
When addressing a former President of the United States in a formal setting, the correct form is “Mr. LastName.” (“President LastName” or “Mr. President” are terms reserved for the current head of state.) This is true for other ex-officials, as well. When talking about the person to a third party, on the other hand, it’s appropriate to say, “former President LastName.”
So in the context of a Federal courtroom, where there is an expectation of decorum in dress and behavior, Sen. Tuberville could be considered incorrect in expecting Trump to be referred to as "former President."
In informal settings, though, the Post Institute says "Mr." would be acceptable. They site situations like a private lunch for use of this title. "Many people ignore this convention and refer to former Presidents as 'President LastName' when they are in settings where nearly everyone would afford them the honor of the title ... a somewhat common mistake," they say.
Governmental offices, websites and text will always refer to a former president as just that - Former President - and the current president as President, as per the definitions outlined in the Former Presidents Act.
And in terms of members of the press reporting on Trump's activities - be it in a courtroom, on the golf course, or campaigning, we look to the AP. Associated Press' Stylebook is considered the gold standard in many newsrooms around the world.
The question of addressing former presidents in reporting is in the book, and is answered occasionally on social media. "When referencing living former presidents, AP style is "former President" on first reference, last name thereafter," the AP says.
