President Harry S. Truman's angry response to a music critic who panned his daughter Margaret

By Jack Brummet, Presidents/Music Ed.

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman wrote a much loved reply to Washington Post music critic Paul Hume’s review of his daughter, Margaret's singing appearance  (Hume: “Miss Truman cannot sing very well").

The president fired off his response: 

"I've just read your lousy review of Margaret's concert. I've come to the conclusion that you are an ‘eight ulcer man on four ulcer pay.’

 “It seems to me that you are a frustrated old man who wishes he could have been successful. When you write such poppy-cock as was in the back section of the paper you work for, it shows conclusively that you're off the beam and at least four of your ulcers are at work. 

“Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!”

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