President Donald Trump made headlines again Tuesday morning—not for a policy decision, but for his colorful language. While addressing reporters at the White House about the volatile ceasefire between Iran and Israel, Trump let loose with an F-bomb: “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f— they’re doing.”
It’s far from the first time Trump has used explicit language in public, and he’s hardly alone. Political figures from both sides of the aisle—Kamala Harris, Dick Cheney, and even Joe Biden, who famously dropped the F-word during the 2010 signing of the Affordable Care Act—have all been caught swearing in public settings.
And it’s not just politicians. A recent study by Australian researchers found Americans are the most frequent swearers among English-speaking nations, with the f-word being our favorite go-to expletive. The British and Australians followed close behind, but U.S. speakers led the pack by a wide margin.
Still, does this mean it’s socially or professionally acceptable to swear in public—or at work?
Etiquette experts say the answer depends heavily on the context. Diane Gottsman, founder of the Protocol School of Texas, notes that swearing can sometimes be effective in making a strong point. “There are studies that say it’s okay [if] it actually emphasizes a point,” she said. But she quickly adds a warning: “You never know if someone will find it offensive. It’s a risk not worth taking… It could cost you your job.”
Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach, agrees. While she acknowledges that in certain industries swearing is common and may even be part of the culture, she doesn’t see it as necessary in professional public settings. “There are other ways of expressing oneself,” she said.
Despite repeated critiques—including from prominent religious figures like evangelist Franklin Graham—Trump has shown little intention of cleaning up his vocabulary. He’s admitted he’s been advised to tone it down, but says the stories just aren’t as impactful without the emphasis.
As swearing becomes more common in public life, the workplace still demands discretion. While presidents may get away with f-bombs on national television, employees likely won’t get the same leniency.