Is there a difference between "former president" and "ex-president"?

[kentuck]

Why do not people use "ex-president" more?

It seems to denote a formality to a finality, when a presidency is over.

[3catwoman3]

1. It's my understanding that "former" applies to someone who has completed...

…a term and “ex” means someone who quit. By this definition, Nixon is our only ex-president.

[kentuck]

3. It could be said that for 187 minutes Trump quit, also...

...and went to the other side.

[Bucky]

9. Nah, the two terms are entirely interchangeable

The term "former president" sounds a little more formal, a little more respectful, but denotationally they are perfect synonyms.

[48656c6c6f20]

2. I'm waiting for the third one

Former incarcerated president.

[3catwoman3]

5. Late president would also be...

…quite acceptable.

[Emrys]

4. I prefer "failed". n/t

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. Putting all the replies together: the late, failed, formerly incarcerated, ex-president

Hypothetically.

[crud]

7. If you are talking about trump

I think it best to leave the word president out of it. He has made his own name into a slur word. He never acted as our president, just occupied the office. It bugs me when the talking heads struggle with calling him president vs. former, or ex. president. Why don't they just call him trump? I mean...he doesn't even deserve to have a Mr. prefix.

[karynnj]

8. What I always saw for decades, was to use president before their name, but if the name is

not used, president alone refers ONLY to current President.

Years ago, I read that titles that were obtained by election could always be used before the persons name. This would mean that a retired Senator could still be called Senator _______ or you could say President Carter or President Trump etc. However, I have seen Kerry, HRC and the useless Trump appointees referred to as Secretary, which may mean the media is not following that protocol.