Staff Reports
Former President Joe Biden’s political career appears to be heading toward a not-so-glorious end, much like a sitcom that jumps the shark in its final season. As the dust settles after his abrupt withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, found herself facing off against Donald Trump, only to stumble in the election while the Donald cruised back to the forefront with a victory largely attributed to his vigorous stance on key issues like border security and economic policies.
A fresh Gallup poll reveals the extent of Biden’s fall from grace in comparison to the other living presidents. Out of five former presidents still breathing, Biden has the distinct honor of being rated the least favorable. Only 39 percent of respondents gave him a thumbs-up, while a staggering 57 percent expressed their disdain for his presidency, calling into question just how many people actually wear those “I’m with Joe” shirts anymore.
Biden can take some solace in knowing he’s not alone in this popularity abyss. His predecessor, Barack Obama, received the highest approval rating among his peers at a respectable 59 percent. It seems that while Democrats might look to their former champion as a beacon of hope, Americans at large are far more interested in waving goodbye to the man who promised unity but delivered discontent instead.
How Is Biden Viewed Among All the Living Presidents? Here’s What a Poll Shows. https://t.co/n7UsT5FhuU
— MZM (@mzmachida) February 12, 2025
Further down the presidential popularity ladder, George W. Bush manages to hold on to a respectable 52 percent favorable rating, despite the 34 percent of respondents who still have not-so-fond memories of his tenure. It’s almost heartwarming to witness how even Bush has managed to cultivate some level of favor since hanging up his presidential boots. In an interesting twist, both Trump and former President Bill Clinton find themselves neck and neck with a 48 percent rating, proving that when it comes to public opinion, it’s truly a wild ride.
According to Gallup’s analysis, there’s a predictable pattern to presidential favorability; they start strong at inauguration, face a dip while serving, plummet by the end, and—sometimes—revive their image after leaving office. In Biden’s case, however, the dip appears to have transformed into a sinkhole. The charts might need a new color to describe just how far he’s fallen since that hopeful day in January 2021, when many mistakenly believed he would usher in a new era of prosperity and unity. Instead, they’ve ended up with a case study in unpopularity that’s about as compelling as a three-hour lecture on the history of paperclips.
