Several U.S. presidents have chosen not to accept their official presidential salary during their time in office. A notable figure is George Washington, who famously declined to take a salary for his role as president. Instead, he accepted only nominal expenses. This decision was rooted in his belief that public service should be motivated by a sense of duty rather than personal gain.
Another president who did not take a salary was Herbert Hoover. During his presidency, he opted to turn down the paychecks, out of a sense of commitment to the country and its challenges during the Great Depression.
Additionally, John F. Kennedy, although he accepted his presidential salary, donated it to charity due to his personal wealth and financial independence.
It’s important to note that while these presidents may have refused their salaries, they still had considerable wealth and resources outside of their presidential duties, allowing them to serve without compensation.