One of the many beautiful things about living in America is that, at least theoretically, you have the right to criticize the government, including the president. There are always plenty of opinions on the current occupant of the White House, but there are also plenty on former occupants. Even though they are no longer in the spotlight, there is interest in their post-presidential lives. A new poll gives the raw numbers on who remains popular and who doesn’t. But what is behind what the poll doesn’t show? What’s behind the raw data?
As a former Democrat, I once thought Obama was the greatest president of my lifetime–and Trump the worst.
I laugh now when I realize that it is the exact opposite.
— Kevin Bass PhD MS (@kevinnbass) February 6, 2025
The Gallup poll was conducted between January 21-27 and ranked each living former president. Coming in at the top spot was Barack Obama, and bringing up the rear was Joe Biden. For many younger Americans, there was not a lot of familiarity with Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. And as he always does, Donald Trump brought lots of mixed opinions.
READ MORE: Barack Obama Weighs in on Biden’s Delusional Farewell Speech – and It’s Just As Delusional
Let’s start at the top of the list with Barack Obama. Like most presidents, Obama had his highest poll numbers in January of 2009 at 78 percent, even before he was sworn in. He sunk to his lowest number of 42 percent in November of 2014. That year, Republicans won control of both the House and Senate. Since he left office, his favorability has stayed between 58-63 percent. Democrats have tended to use Obama as a secret weapon of sorts, trotting hIm out during Hillary Clinton’s 2016 and Joe Biden’s 2024 campaigns with mixed results, and Obama’s relationship with both Clinton and Biden has been sketchy. But the Obama shine might be wearing off among Democrats. He endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024, and it did not do much to help her, even among black voters.
Joe Biden left office three weeks ago. His numbers are 39 percent favorable and 57 percent unfavorable. That is only up slightly from his worst numbers in June of 2024 of 37 percent favorable and 61 percent unfavorable. Biden’s presidency included the highest rate of inflation in 40 years at nine percent in June of 2022. Illegal immigrants were flooding across the southern border, and America appeared weak abroad. Then, there were the ongoing questions about his age and mental clarity. Fueling those questions were reports of White House aides covering up Biden’s mental decline. Like most presidents, Biden’s highest number came after he was inaugurated in January 2021 at 59 percent.
Former President Jimmy Carter, often labeled by some as the worst president in U.S. history, has passed away. However, many now argue that President Biden has taken that title.
In your opinion, who is the worst president in U.S. history—Carter, Biden, or someone else? pic.twitter.com/QW4AEYxral
— BRIAN FRASER (@bfraser747) December 29, 2024
In 2025, you might have to be of a certain age to remember Bill Clinton’s presidency, and this may very well be the reason for his relatively positive favorable/unfavorable numbers of 48/41. By today’s standards, Clinton would be a moderate Democrat if such a thing still exists. His first term was marked by a host of smaller scandals. Clinton’s approval rating was 62 percent in August of 1998, and after his admission of an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, he seemed to get a Trump-like effect, with his approval rising to 71 percent in December of that year after the House voted to impeach him.
George W. Bush enjoyed his highest presidential poll numbers eight months after taking office. He reached an all-time high of 87 percent right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The financial crisis of 2008 gave him his lowest numbers at 32 percent in April of that year. Bush has maintained a low profile for much of his post-presidency. He has stayed out of politics and has never endorsed Trump. Many America First Republicans view him as a part of a bygone era of the GOP.
ALSO READ: Looking Ahead: What Will President Trump’s Place in History Be?
Donald Trump’s numbers are about even at 48/50. While staying pretty even at 40 percent in his first term, after the January 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol, he dropped to 36 percent. He rebounded a bit in July of 2023 to 40 percent. He endured four indictments and faced a total of over 80 felony counts. His poll numbers went up after each indictment, and since then, he has undoubtedly pulled off the greatest political comeback in U.S. history. A recent CBS poll put Trump’s overall job approval rating at 53 percent.
Time is often kind to former presidents, with Americans viewing them in a rosier light than when they were in office. It happened to Jimmy Carter. But if there is an exception to the rule, it might be Joe Biden. Time, as they say, will tell.
Former President Ronald Reagan’s portrait is hanging in the Oval Office. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Q4tdkUNQvN
— KᗴᒪᒪᗴY ✰ (@Patriotmom717) February 6, 2025
