A Gallup poll released Tuesday found that President Joe Biden is ranked as the second-worst president in American history, surpassed only by Richard Nixon. Despite efforts by Biden and his aides to frame his presidency as one of historic significance, the data paints a starkly different picture.
The poll revealed that 54% of Americans believe Biden will be remembered as a “below average” (37%) or “poor” (17%) president, while only 19% view him as “outstanding” (6%) or “above average” (13%). Another 26% think he will be regarded as “average.”
Among nine recent presidents evaluated in the survey, Biden’s net rating of -35 narrowly edges out Nixon’s -42. Nixon’s reputation remains tarnished by the Watergate scandal, yet Biden’s presidency is seen by many as equally damaging due to a combination of policy failures and perceived ineffectiveness.
Under Biden’s leadership, the nation faced a series of crises, including the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, record-breaking inflation, and a border crisis with millions of migrants crossing into the U.S. The administration also faced criticism over the weaponization of justice, prosecutions of political opponents, and Congressional gridlock.
Additional challenges included Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a sharp rise in homelessness, which increased by 18% in 2024 alone, fueled by inflation and migration pressures, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Biden’s poor standing is reflected even among Democrats, who are less enthusiastic about his presidency than previous Democratic leaders. Independent voters have also given Biden a net-negative evaluation, a rarity for recent Democratic presidents.
President-elect Donald Trump has been among Biden’s harshest critics, labeling him the “WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA.” While opinions on past presidents often soften over time, Biden’s current rankings place him in the company of leaders whose presidencies are widely viewed as failures, including Andrew Johnson, Woodrow Wilson, Lyndon Johnson, and others.