A recent Gallup poll indicates that President Joe Biden may be regarded as one of the least favorable leaders in the history of the presidency, following Richard Nixon. Conducted in December, the survey reveals that a considerable number of Americans hold an unfavorable view of Biden’s administration. Participants evaluated presidents on a scale ranging from “outstanding” to “poor,” with Biden achieving a net score of -35, which is marginally better than Nixon’s -42.

Only 6% of respondents classified Biden as “outstanding,” while the majority expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, particularly when compared to other recent presidents. This unfavorable perception is attributed to a range of challenges faced during his tenure, including economic difficulties, international conflicts, and heightened political division.

Nevertheless, experts propose that the legacies of presidents often improve with the passage of time. Thomas Gift from University College London noted that, despite current criticisms, future evaluations may recognize Biden’s accomplishments, such as strengthening NATO, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, and enacting significant infrastructure legislation.

In a similar vein, Emeritus Professor Iwan Morgan pointed out that although Biden’s approval ratings have been low throughout his presidency, his economic strategies and leadership during peacetime following the withdrawal from Afghanistan may be reassessed more positively in the future, akin to the evolving perceptions of previous presidents.

The survey, which gathered responses from 1,003 adults throughout the United States, has a margin of error of four percentage points. It captures prevailing opinions as the Biden administration transitions to Donald Trump, who triumphed over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, signifying a notable political change.