Joe Biden is wrapping up his time in office with disappointing approval numbers, setting a record for the lowest rating any U.S. president has experienced at the end of a first term. This data came to light during a segment on CNN, where senior data reporter Harry Enten shared some insights. It appears that Biden’s approval rating is averaging around 38%, a figure that stands out for its historical significance.
Enten pointed out that Biden’s numbers are even lower than Donald Trump’s, who had an approval rating of 39% at the end of his first term in January 2021. This comparison is striking, especially when recalling the widespread belief that Trump’s political career was over at that point. Now, with Biden’s numbers lower than Trump’s, it raises questions about Biden’s political future and the perception of his presidency.
Looking back at other one-term presidents, Biden’s rating is also notably below theirs. Jimmy Carter, for instance, ended his presidency with a 44% approval rating, while George H.W. Bush had a more comfortable 56%. These comparisons highlight the challenges Biden has faced in winning over public opinion during his time in office.
A recent poll by the Associated Press and NORC found that only a quarter of Americans rate Biden as a “good” or “great” president. This contrasts with 36% who felt that way about Trump and 52% for Barack Obama at the same point in their presidencies. Enten expressed surprise at these findings, emphasizing how only a small portion of the country views Biden positively.
Throughout his presidency, Biden’s approval ratings have averaged around 42%, which is below the historical average of 52% for U.S. presidents since Gallup began tracking this data in 1938. The highest point of his approval was 57% early in 2021, shortly after he took office. However, his lowest point came in July 2021, following the tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The swift decline in Biden’s approval ratings began after the Afghanistan withdrawal, which was marred by a tragic suicide bombing at the Hamid Karzai International Airport that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members. The administration faced significant backlash over its handling of this exit, which left many American allies and citizens stranded.
In addition to foreign policy challenges, Biden has grappled with domestic issues like inflation and economic uncertainty. Despite inflation dipping below 3% in July 2024, many voters continued to express concerns about the economy and immigration. On these issues, polls show that Americans tend to trust President-elect Trump more than Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris.
While Biden’s approval ratings have hit historic lows, Donald Trump’s popularity has been on the rise since he left office. Enten reported that Trump’s current approval rating stands at 47%, marking the highest average he has received in his political career. Furthermore, 56% of Americans now believe Trump will be a successful president in his upcoming term.
As Biden prepares to leave the White House, his low approval ratings and the challenges he faced during his term mark the end of a political career spanning over five decades. Enten concluded by noting Biden’s unpopularity at the conclusion of his extensive career in politics.
The data paints a picture of a shifting political landscape, where Trump is gaining momentum ahead of his return to the presidency, while Biden’s tenure serves as a significant moment for reflection for his party and the nation.
