Biden’s time is almost up. There’s no hiding it anymore.
And now a devastating test result is the nail in the coffin for Joe Biden.
Biden’s Leadership Draws Tepid Ratings as Term Ends
As President Joe Biden prepares to leave office, a mere one in four Americans describe his tenure as that of a “great or good” president, according to a revealing AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Friday.
This lukewarm reception places Biden well below his predecessors, Donald Trump and Barack Obama, in public perception.
The poll found that just 22% of respondents believe Biden, now 82, successfully fulfilled the promises he made during his campaign. Meanwhile, 39% of Americans said he “tried but failed to keep his promises,” and an additional 38% dismissed his efforts entirely.
For context, Donald Trump received a 36% approval rating as a “great or good” president during his first term, while Barack Obama fared significantly better, with 52% of respondents offering him high marks over his two terms in office.
Divided Support Among Party Lines
Democratic voters showed considerably more support for Biden than their independent or Republican counterparts. Half of Democratic respondents rated him as “great or good,” but this figure plunged to just 10% among independents and a dismal 4% among Republicans.
The disparity extended to perceptions of Biden’s ability to deliver on his campaign promises. While 42% of Democrats believed he met expectations, only 12% of independents and 4% of Republicans agreed.
Biden’s overall approval rating stood at 39%, a slight improvement from his term-low of 38% in January 2024. However, this figure marks a dramatic decline from the 61% approval rating he enjoyed when he took office in January 2021.
Economic and Policy Concerns
The survey underscored a broad dissatisfaction with the impact of Biden’s policies on Americans’ daily lives and the nation’s trajectory. A significant 38% of respondents felt their families were worse off since Biden assumed office, and 46% said the country as a whole had deteriorated under his leadership.
Economic woes dominated the list of concerns. More than half (58%) attributed their rising cost of living to the president’s policies, signaling frustration with his handling of inflation and economic challenges. Similarly, 56% criticized his administration’s approach to immigration, citing ineffective border control and policies.
Biden also faced scrutiny for his handling of international affairs. A majority of respondents (52%) disapproved of his response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, reflecting widespread unease over his leadership on the global stage.
Declining Momentum
The AP-NORC poll highlights Biden’s declining momentum as his presidency winds down, showing dissatisfaction across key issues that have defined his tenure. The results provide a stark contrast to the optimism many Americans expressed at the outset of his administration.
The poll, conducted from December 5 to December 9, surveyed 1,251 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of ±3.7 percentage points.
As Biden prepares to exit the political stage, the results capture a sobering snapshot of a presidency that struggled to meet the expectations of the American people.
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