Half of Americans rate President Donald Trump as a “poor” president, the greatest proportion who do for any of the 20 U.S. presidents rated in a recent YouGov survey, which asked respondents to rank previous presidents on a scale from “outstanding” to “poor.”
It found that 48 percent believe Trump is “poor,” while a further 6 percent see him as “below average.” This is the lowest rating of any president.
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email outside of normal business hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump’s ranking and popularity will become evermore important when voters participate in the fast-approaching midterm elections. These ballots, held in key seats across the country, could change the balance of power in the U.S. While Trump is not on the ticket, the elections are seen as a way for voters to cast their judgment on the president.
Traditionally, the party that does not hold the White House tends to do better in midterm elections. In 2018, Republicans lost the House and the Democrats gained 41 seats. Republicans have slim majorities in both chambers of Congress and losing the House or Senate would affect the GOP’s ability to pass key legislation and advance its policies.
What To Know
The poll of 2,255 adults was conducted between February 2 and 5 with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points.
It found that, after Trump, his predecessor Joe Biden was the least popular former president. 38 percent of people said he was “poor” and 12 percent said he was “below average.”
Republican Richard Nixon was the third least popular former president. 27 percent said he was “poor” and 21 percent “below average.”
On the other side, YouGov found that the most popular presidents were Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and George Washington with 74 percent, 66 percent and 65 percent rating them as “outstanding” or “above average,” respectively.
It comes amid similarly negative polling about Trump. Overall, his disapproval rating reached a new high this week, according to analysis from polling aggregator the Silver Bulletin.
It also comes amid a series of elections with concerning results for Trump’s Republican Party. On February 3, conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss lost out on Texas Senate District 9 to her Democratic rival Taylor Rehmet, a military veteran and union leader. Rehmet won by more than 14 percentage points, according to The Associated Press.
The GOP also performed poorly in a series of elections on November 4, including in the New York City mayoral election, in which Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani defeated independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
But Trump’s approval rating returned to the 50 percent mark in the latest InsiderAdvantage national survey, its highest level in weeks.
What People Are Saying
White House spokesman Davis Ingle previously told Newsweek in an emailed statement: “President Trump was overwhelmingly elected by nearly 80 million Americans to deliver on his popular and common-sense agenda. The president has already made historic progress not only in America, but around the world. It is not surprising that President Trump remains the most dominant figure in American politics.”
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social last week:Â “The highest Poll Numbers I have ever received. Obviously, people like a strong and powerful Country, with the best economy, EVER!”
What Happens Next
As his presidency continues, Trump’s popularity compared with that of presidents that came before him is likely to fluctuate. His grip on the nation will be tested when voters head to the midterm elections in November.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
Read the full article here
