Most Americans rate Biden as ‘failed’ or ‘fair’ president: new poll
As President Biden’s term in the White House comes to a close, a recent national poll suggests that many Americans do not believe history will judge him favorably. The USA Today/Suffolk University survey, released just days before the end of Biden’s presidency, reveals that 44% of voters nationwide believe history will view him as a failed president, while 27% think he will be considered fair. Only 21% believe he will be seen as good, and a mere 5% believe he will be remembered as a great president.
With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office next week for his second term, opinions on his presidency are also divided. The poll shows that 44% of respondents believe Trump will be seen as a failed president, while 20% think he will be considered great, and 19% believe he will be viewed as good. Additionally, 27% of respondents feel he will be judged as fair.
Trump’s approval ratings have seen a significant shift since the end of his first term, with 52% of those surveyed approving of his job performance during his first term, and 45% disapproving. This shift is particularly notable among independent voters, with Trump’s favorability rating among them improving from 35% favorable and 57% unfavorable to 42% favorable and 47% unfavorable.
Looking ahead to Trump’s return to the White House, 31% of respondents say they are excited, while 18% are satisfied. However, 12% express feelings of depression, and 31% are afraid of a second Trump presidency. Meanwhile, 43% of respondents approve of Biden’s job performance as he leaves office, while 54% disapprove.
Biden’s approval ratings have fluctuated during his time in office, with a notable decline following his handling of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, the surge in COVID-19 cases, inflation, and the border crisis. In terms of his achievements as president, nearly a quarter of respondents were undecided, with 19% citing infrastructure investment and 10% mentioning COVID-19 response as his top accomplishments. Regarding his failures, over 30% pointed to his handling of immigration, while 20% highlighted the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters nationwide, was conducted from Jan. 7-11 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. As the transition of power approaches, Americans remain divided on the legacies of both President Biden and President-elect Trump.
