Technology
The Record-Breaking Approval Rating Trajectory of Donald Trump
The Unique Record of Donald Trump's Approval Rating
The historical record of presidential approval ratings in the United States dates back to 1937, providing us with a comprehensive dataset to analyze the approval ratings of all U.S. presidents since that year. Among these figures, one notable standout is Donald Trump, who has redefined the boundaries of presidential approval ratings by consistently ranking among the lowest in the modern era of tracking.
Comparative Analysis
Since the establishment of regular presidential approval ratings in the mid-20th century, there have been a total of 15 presidents who have held office. Among them, the presidencies of Franklin D. Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush, and many others have seen approval ratings as high as 66 or more. However, Donald Trump emerges as a unique case, as he was the only president since 1937 with no approval rating of 48 or higher. This fact alone makes his presidency particularly noteworthy compared to predecessors like Andrew Johnson, whose approval rating remains unknown without pre-1937 data.
Ranked Presidential Approval Ratings Since Franklin D. Roosevelt
George W. Bush: 90 George H.W. Bush: 89 Harry Truman: 87 John F. Kennedy: 83 Franklin D. Roosevelt: 83 Lyndon B. Johnson: 79 Dwight Eisenhower: 77 Jimmy Carter: 74 Bill Clinton: 73 Ronald Reagan: 71 Gerald Ford: 70 Barack Obama: 67 Richard Nixon: 66 Donald Trump: 49Lowest and Highest Approval Ratings
When examining the highest approval ratings during their presidencies, the following ranking emerges:
Donald Trump: 90 George H.W. Bush: 89 Harry Truman: 87 John F. Kennedy: 83 Franklin D. Roosevelt: 83 Lyndon B. Johnson: 79 Dwight Eisenhower: 77 Jimmy Carter: 74 Bill Clinton: 73 Ronald Reagan: 71 Gerald Ford: 70 Barack Obama: 67 Richard Nixon: 66 George W. Bush: 49Examining the lowest approval ratings reveals an entirely different pattern:
Harry Truman: 45.4 Barack Obama: 40 Dwight Eisenhower: 47 Bill Clinton: 37 Gerald Ford: 36 Ronald Reagan: 35 Lyndon Johnson: 34 George H.W. Bush: 29 Jimmy Carter: 28 George W. Bush: 25 Richard Nixon: 24 Donald Trump: 22 Franklin D. Roosevelt: 48Influence of Elections
It's worth noting that Obama and Trump both had approval ratings below 50 during their terms, but the way the media reported on these ratings often exaggerated their significance. Obama's low ratings, much like many other achievements in the news media (MSM), were not factually supported by the public's actual sentiment. Just as Trump and Obama, many other presidents have seen favorable approval ratings dipping into the 50s or below. However, the political paradigm around these ratings shifts based on the proximity to an election. President-elects have historically enjoyed higher approval ratings, reflecting the support and anticipation of a new administration at the outset of their tenure.
Conclusion
Donald Trump's unique position in the history of presidential approval ratings highlights the importance of data-driven analysis in assessing public sentiment. As we continue to track these figures, the debate around these metrics will likely remain a key aspect of understanding the dynamics of presidential leadership.