Joe Biden can’t believe it. He can’t escape bad news no matter how hard he tries.
And Biden gets smacked over the head by a devastating test result he didn’t see coming.
As President Biden prepares to leave office in just a few days, national polls paint a grim picture of his public approval and the legacy he leaves behind.
The latest CNN poll conducted by SSRS shows that only 36% of Americans approve of Biden’s performance as president, while 64% disapprove—a statistic matching his lowest rating during his term. These findings were released just hours before Biden’s scheduled farewell address.
Other surveys conducted by USA Today/Suffolk University and Marist College earlier this month also show Biden’s approval ratings hovering in negative territory, though slightly higher at 43%.
Taken together, the trio of polls indicates a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction with Biden’s leadership, with many Americans viewing his presidency as a failure. According to CNN’s findings, 61% of respondents labeled Biden’s tenure a failure, while only 38% saw it as a success.
Similarly, the USA Today/Suffolk poll found that 44% of registered voters believe history will judge Biden as a failed president.
A mere 5% predicted he would be remembered as a great leader, while 21% felt he would be seen as a good president. Marist’s survey revealed that over a third of respondents consider Biden one of the worst presidents in U.S. history.
Despite these bleak assessments, Biden is expected to emphasize his accomplishments in his farewell address, including stabilizing domestic politics, restoring America’s global leadership, steering the nation out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and investing heavily in infrastructure and clean energy.
In a letter to Americans released on Wednesday, Biden reflected on the crises he inherited, stating, “we were in the grip of the worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.”
He touted economic achievements, such as record job creation and reduced inflation, and noted that the racial wealth gap is at its lowest point in two decades.
Biden’s approval ratings started strong, hovering in the low to mid-50s during his first six months in office. However, public sentiment shifted sharply in August 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, a surge in COVID-19 cases, and rising inflation.
His ratings dipped further as Americans grappled with escalating costs and a continuing crisis at the southern border. By the fall of 2021, Biden’s approval had fallen into negative territory, where it remained for the rest of his presidency.
Biden’s departure on January 20 marks the end of his single term, paving the way for President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Trump’s approval ratings, while also mixed, have shown improvement since his decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
In fact, opinions about Trump’s first term have become more favorable in recent polls, despite the lingering controversies from his previous tenure.
According to the USA Today/Suffolk poll, 44% believe history will also judge Trump as a failed president, but one in five respondents think he will be remembered as a great leader.
The Marist survey highlights a continued divide in public opinion about Trump. While 44% view him favorably, 49% hold unfavorable opinions. Americans remain optimistic, however, about his potential to revitalize the economy, with many expressing hope for their personal financial futures under his administration.
Trump’s controversial policy proposals continue to spark debate. His pledge to pardon supporters convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot has drawn widespread disapproval, with over 60% of respondents opposing the idea. His plans for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants also face resistance, particularly from Leftists who are not as interested in solving the immigration crisis.
The latest polls provide a snapshot of an America grappling with the legacies of two very different presidencies. As Trump prepares to take the reins once again, Biden’s term comes to a close under a cloud of negativity due to his horrid four years in the Oval Office.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
