Biden Likely to Be Remembered as Worst President Since Nixon, Poll Shows

Recent polling data from Gallup suggests President Joe Biden may be remembered as the least favorable president since Richard Nixon. The December survey reveals a notably negative public perception of Biden's presidency compared to his recent predecessors. Josh Morgan, Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The poll asked Americans to rate how presidents would be viewed historically, ranging from "outstanding" to "poor." Biden received a net score of -35, with only 6% rating him as "outstanding," 13% as "above average," 26% as "average," 17% as "below average," and 37% as "poor." Only Nixon scored lower at -42. Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Experts offer differing perspectives on Biden's legacy. Thomas Gift from University College London told Newsweek: "The legacies of U.S. presidents almost uniformly improve with the benefit of hindsight. The same will hold true of Biden. While the myriad challenges of this administration, from a disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal to deep-seated inflation, are top of minds for Americans now, more distance from Biden's tenure will provide a richer appreciation also of its accomplishments." Mark Henle/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Iwan Morgan, Emeritus Professor of United States History at the Institute of the Americas, University College London, told Newsweek: "Biden's low rating is not surprising given his poor approval ratings in office and the sense that the country was on the wrong track. In reality, however, Biden's economic record stands favorable comparison with every president since Clinton and he has presided over an era of peace once he extricated the U.S. from Afghanistan, however shambolically." NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The survey, based on 1,003 adult respondents across all U.S. states and D.C., has a margin of error of four percentage points. Following Biden's presidency, former President Donald Trump is set to return to office after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. JASON BEAN/RGJ / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images