Jimmy Carter's 'Killer Rabbit' Incident Resurfaces After His Passing at 100

The 1979 encounter with a swamp rabbit became a symbol of Carter's embattled presidency and fueled media frenzy during his term.

In April 1979, then-President Jimmy Carter encountered a swamp rabbit while fishing near his home in Plains, Georgia, an event that later became widely publicized as the 'killer rabbit' incident.
The rabbit, described as hissing and gnashing its teeth, swam toward Carter’s canoe, prompting him to splash water with a paddle to deter it, as recounted by his press secretary Jody Powell.
The story, initially shared casually by Carter and leaked to the press months later, was sensationalized by media outlets and turned into a metaphor for Carter's perceived struggles as president.
At the time, Carter faced significant challenges, including an energy crisis, economic turmoil, and the Iran hostage crisis, which contributed to declining public approval.
Historians and commentators have noted that the incident, though minor, amplified public perceptions of Carter as a weak leader, a narrative that lingered through his presidency and re-election loss in 1980.