Fact Check: Trump is the worst president in the history of United States

Claim Analysis: "Trump is the worst president in the history of the United States"

1. Introduction

The assertion that "Trump is the worst president in the history of the United States" has been a topic of considerable debate and discussion among historians, political analysts, and the general public. This claim is often supported by various surveys and rankings of U.S. presidents, which frequently place Donald Trump at or near the bottom of such lists. However, the validity of this claim is contingent on the methodologies used in these rankings, the biases of those conducting the evaluations, and the context in which these assessments are made.

2. What We Know

Several sources provide insight into the rankings of Donald Trump among U.S. presidents:

• A 2024 survey indicated that Trump scored 10.92 out of 100, ranking him as the worst president in modern history according to historians 2.
• In a survey conducted by nearly 200 political scientists, Trump was again ranked as the worst president 5.
• A CNN article noted that public opinion reflected a similar sentiment, with a Fox News poll in December 2020 showing that 42% of voters believed Trump would be remembered as one of the worst presidents 3.
• The New York Times published an opinion piece asserting that Trump stands without real rivals as the worst American president in modern history 1.
• Conversely, some sources argue that the perception of Trump as the worst president may be influenced by contemporary political biases and the polarized nature of current U.S. politics 37.

3. Analysis

The claim that Donald Trump is the worst president in U.S. history is supported by multiple surveys and rankings, but these assessments are not without controversy.

Source Reliability and Bias

• Surveys and Polls: The surveys cited, such as the Presidents & Executive Politics Presidential Greatness Survey, involve historians and political scientists, which lends them some credibility. However, the selection of respondents and the criteria for evaluation can introduce bias. For instance, historians who are more critical of Trump's policies may dominate these surveys, skewing results against him 56.
• Opinion Pieces: Articles from sources like The New York Times and CNN provide opinion-based perspectives that reflect the views of their editorial boards or the authors, which may not represent a consensus among historians or political scientists 13. These pieces often highlight specific actions or policies of Trump that are viewed negatively, but they may lack comprehensive analysis of his presidency as a whole.
• Public Perception: Polls reflecting public opinion, such as the Fox News poll, can be influenced by the political climate and media portrayal of Trump, suggesting that perceptions of his presidency may be more a reflection of partisan views than objective historical analysis 3.

Methodology Concerns

The methodologies used in ranking presidents often rely on subjective criteria, such as leadership qualities, crisis management, and overall impact on the nation. This subjectivity can lead to differing conclusions based on the values and priorities of the evaluators. For example, some historians may prioritize economic performance, while others may focus on social issues or foreign policy 46.

Conflicting Views

While many sources rank Trump as the worst president, others argue that such assessments may overlook significant aspects of his presidency. Critics of the rankings point out that historical evaluations can change over time as new information and perspectives emerge 37. Additionally, some argue that the extreme polarization of American politics during Trump's presidency may distort evaluations of his effectiveness and legacy 3.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that Donald Trump is the worst president in U.S. history is supported by various surveys and rankings that place him at the bottom of presidential evaluations. Notably, historians and political scientists have consistently ranked him poorly, with some surveys indicating he scores as low as 10.92 out of 100 2. However, this conclusion is complicated by the subjective nature of these rankings, which can be influenced by the biases of the evaluators and the political climate.

While there is substantial evidence to support the claim, it is essential to recognize that historical assessments are often fluid and can change over time as new perspectives emerge. Additionally, the polarized political environment may skew public perception and evaluations of Trump's presidency, suggesting that the claim may not fully encapsulate the complexities of his time in office.

Readers should approach such claims with a critical mindset, considering the limitations of the evidence and the potential for bias in both public opinion and academic assessments. It is crucial to evaluate information from multiple sources and perspectives to form a well-rounded understanding of historical figures and their legacies.

5. Sources

1. Opinion | Donald Trump: The Worst President in Modern History? - The New York Times. Link
2. Historical rankings of presidents of the United States - Wikipedia. Link
3. Turns out Donald Trump wasn't the worst president in US history - CNN. Link
4. Donald Trump Ranked Worst U.S. President, with Biden in 14th Place - People. Link
5. Donald Trump ranked worst president in US history by nearly 200 political scientists - The Independent. Link
6. Trump ranked as worst US president in history, with Biden - The Guardian. Link
7. Trump's Legacy: The Worst President In History & A Lifetime Of Failure - Democracy 21. Link
8. Read: Historians rank Trump as worst president - Axios. Link
9. Presidential ranking: Where Donald Trump stands among the worst - AS. Link
10. The 10 Worst Presidents | Politics | US News. Link