Fact Check: "Trump is The Best President Ever"
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump is "the best president ever" is highly subjective and lacks substantial support from historical rankings and expert evaluations. According to a Brookings Institution article, Trump was rated as the most polarizing president in U.S. history and consistently ranks at the bottom in overall greatness assessments. In a survey conducted by political scientists, Trump scored the lowest among all presidents, indicating a consensus that he does not meet the criteria for greatness typically used by historians and political experts.
Further corroborating this, a Wikipedia entry on historical rankings of U.S. presidents notes that in the 2024 rankings, Trump received a score of 10.92 out of 100, placing him at the bottom of the list. This ranking reflects a broader trend where even self-identified Republican historians have rated him poorly, often placing him in the bottom five presidents.
Additionally, a New York Times article highlights that Trump's standing among experts is significantly lower than that of many predecessors, further solidifying the notion that he does not qualify as the best president.
Analysis
The evaluation of Trump's presidency reveals a stark contrast between popular opinion among his supporters and expert assessments. While some polls indicate that a segment of the Republican base views Trump favorably, particularly as one of the best recent presidents, these views are not reflected in broader historical analyses. For instance, a Pew Research study found that while many Republicans consider Trump to be among the best presidents of the last 40 years, this is not indicative of his overall historical standing.
The sources consulted present a clear consensus among historians and political scientists that Trump's presidency is characterized by divisiveness and controversy, rather than the unifying leadership typically associated with great presidents. The Brookings article emphasizes that Trump's policies, such as the travel ban and withdrawal from international agreements, contributed to his polarizing reputation. This polarizing nature is further supported by the historical rankings, which consistently place him at the bottom due to perceived failures in leadership and governance.
Critically assessing the reliability of these sources, both the Brookings Institution and the Wikipedia entry are grounded in extensive research and surveys conducted by political experts. The New York Times article also draws from expert opinions, making it a credible source. In contrast, opinions from partisan outlets or individual supporters may lack the same level of scholarly rigor and objectivity.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump is the best president ever" is False. Historical rankings and expert evaluations consistently place Trump at the bottom of presidential assessments, highlighting his polarizing nature and lack of significant achievements in comparison to his predecessors. The evidence indicates that while he may be viewed favorably by a segment of the population, particularly among his supporters, this does not translate into a broader consensus regarding his greatness as a president.
