Pull the strings, history nerds — it’s time to meet Martin Van Buren, the “Little Magician” who made political deals appear out of thin air while looking like Jackson’s less-fun stunt double. Was he a genius or just a guy who knew how to hang around long enough to inherit the throne?

This episode dives into Dutch tavern tales, Jackson’s puppet show, banking schemes, and one very sad love story. Spoiler: this guy is not making it onto Mount Rushmore.

👉 Hit follow so you don’t miss the chaos.
👉 Drop us a rating if you love messy presidential drama.
👉 Share this with your smartest (or snarkiest) friend — they’ll thank you later.

📜 Full presidential drama at: buckstartsherepodcast.com
📩 Send us your hot takes (or hate mail): [email protected]
🐦 Follow the chaos on X: @ChinaShopPods🌐 Step into the shop: ⁠chinashopproductions.com

Music:

Semper Fidelis by Heftone Banjo Orchestra, Free Music Archive, license CC-BY-SA

Images:

Van Buren’s birthplace: Miscellaneous Items in High Demand,PPOC, Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Amistad article: See page for author, Public domain, viaWikimedia Commons

Peter Van Schaack: Henry C. Van Schaak(Life time: 1800s),Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

William Van Ness: John Wesley Jarvis, Public domain, viaWikimedia Commons

Hannah Hoes Van Buren: See page for author, Public domain,via Wikimedia Commons

Lindenwald: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Martin Van Buren: Thomas thomas thamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

DeWitt Clinton: Rembrandt Peale, Public domain, viaWikimedia Commons

Erie Canal: Guillaume Tell Poussin, Public domain, viaWikimedia Commons