Fact Check: "Biden is the worst president ever"
What We Know
The claim that "Biden is the worst president ever" is a subjective assertion that reflects a polarized political landscape. A recent survey of historians rated President Biden in the top third of U.S. presidents, placing him 14th overall, while former President Donald Trump was rated last at 45th (NPR). This survey, conducted by political scientists, indicates that Biden's overall rating was 62.66, significantly higher than Trump's 10.92, which is considered the worst showing in the survey's history.
Conversely, public opinion polls reveal a starkly different perspective. A Gallup poll indicated that 54% of Americans believe Biden will be remembered as a "below average" or "poor" president, with only 19% expecting him to be rated as "outstanding" or "above average" (Gallup). Additionally, a Rasmussen poll found that 48% of respondents consider Biden one of the worst presidents ever (Rasmussen Reports).
Critics of Biden often cite specific failures such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan, rising inflation, and concerns about his mental competence as reasons for their negative assessments (Dispatch). These criticisms are echoed in various opinion pieces and letters to the editor, which argue that his presidency has been disastrous and incompetent (Dispatch, TruthOrFake).
Analysis
The claim that Biden is the "worst president ever" is heavily influenced by political ideology and public sentiment rather than objective historical analysis. The historian survey, which places Biden relatively high, suggests that experts in the field do not view his presidency as the worst in U.S. history. This discrepancy highlights the difference between expert evaluations and public opinion, which can be swayed by contemporary events and media narratives.
The sources supporting the claim of Biden's poor performance often come from opinion pieces and polls that reflect partisan views rather than comprehensive historical assessments. For example, the letter asserting Biden's incompetence cites specific failures but lacks the empirical evidence typically required for a robust historical analysis (Dispatch). Furthermore, the credibility of these sources varies; while the historian survey is based on expert opinion, many public polls reflect immediate reactions to current events, which can change over time.
In contrast, the historian survey's methodology, which involves a diverse group of political scientists and historians, provides a more stable assessment of presidential performance. This suggests that while Biden may be viewed unfavorably by a significant portion of the public, his historical ranking is more favorable among experts.
Conclusion
The claim that "Biden is the worst president ever" is Partially True. While there is a substantial portion of the public that holds this view, particularly among partisan critics, expert evaluations from historians place Biden in a more favorable light compared to many of his predecessors. The divergence between public opinion and historical assessment indicates that while Biden faces significant criticism, labeling him as the "worst" president lacks a solid foundation in expert analysis and is heavily influenced by current political sentiments.
Sources
- In historians' Presidents Day survey, Biden vs. Trump is not ... NPR
- Opinion | Biden's Legacy: Bad or Worse? The New York Times
- Why Joe Biden is the worst president America has ever had | Letters The Dispatch
- Fact Check: Biden is the worst president ever | TruthOrFake Blog TruthOrFake
- Americans Think History Will Rate Biden Presidency Negatively Gallup
- MOORE: Where does Joe Biden rank among America's ... NSJ Online
- Poll: Biden Viewed as Second-Worst President in History KTRH
- 48% Say Biden One of the Worst Presidents Ever Rasmussen Reports
