Fact Check: Biden is the worst president

Fact Check: "Biden is the worst president"

What We Know

Public opinion regarding President Joe Biden's performance has been notably negative. According to a recent AP-NORC poll, only about one-quarter of U.S. adults rated Biden as a "good" or "great" president, with less than 10% considering him "great." This is a stark contrast to the ratings of former President Donald Trump at the end of his first term, where approximately one-third of Americans described him as "good" or "great." Furthermore, Biden's approval ratings have significantly declined over his term, with many voters expressing disappointment, particularly among demographics that traditionally support the Democratic Party, such as Black and Hispanic Americans.

In contrast, a survey conducted by historians ranked Biden in the top third of U.S. presidents, placing him 14th overall, while Trump was rated last at 45th (NPR). This discrepancy highlights the difference between public perception and academic assessment of presidential performance.

Analysis

The claim that "Biden is the worst president" is subjective and heavily influenced by partisan perspectives. The AP-NORC poll indicates a significant portion of the population, including many Democrats, view Biden's presidency unfavorably, with about half describing his term as "poor" or "terrible" (AP News). This sentiment is echoed in various polls suggesting that Biden's presidency may be viewed as the worst since Richard Nixon (Newsweek).

However, the historical survey results present a different narrative, with historians ranking Biden significantly higher than Trump, indicating that academic evaluations of presidential effectiveness can differ markedly from public opinion (NPR, New York Times). This divergence suggests that while Biden may be viewed unfavorably by the general public, particularly in the context of current political and economic challenges, historians assess his presidency more favorably based on legislative achievements and historical context.

The reliability of the sources varies; the AP-NORC poll is a reputable survey organization, while the historians' survey is conducted by political scientists, which adds credibility to its findings. However, public sentiment is often more volatile and influenced by immediate events, making it a less stable measure of a president's overall effectiveness.

Conclusion

The claim that "Biden is the worst president" is Partially True. While there is substantial public sentiment supporting this view, particularly among certain demographics and political affiliations, historical assessments provide a more nuanced picture that ranks Biden higher than Trump. Therefore, the claim reflects a current public perception that may not align with long-term historical evaluations.