Politics
Ranked: Which US Presidents Left Office with the Highest (and Lowest) Approval Ratings?
By Jake Beardslee · June 8, 2025
Ranked: Which US Presidents Left Office with the Highest (and Lowest) Approval Ratings?
Since the 1930s, Gallup has tracked how Americans feel about their presidents. These approval ratings, collected at the end of each presidency, offer a snapshot of how each leader’s time in office was perceived. While historical legacies evolve, these final numbers reveal who exited the White House with public support—and who didn’t.Here's how U.S. presidents from Harry Truman to Joe Biden ranked in their final Gallup polls. The White House / Wikimedia
Richard Nixon – 24% Approval
Despite a landslide re-election in 1972, Nixon left office disgraced by the Watergate scandal. He resigned on August 9, 1974, to avoid impeachment. Just before stepping down, Gallup found 66% of Americans disapproved of his presidency—still the highest disapproval rating recorded at the end of a term. Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. U.S. Army Audiovisual Center / Wikimedia
Harry S. Truman – 32% Approval
Truman's presidency, marked by WWII’s aftermath and the Korean War, ended with more than half of Americans disapproving of his performance. His poll, taken in December 1952, showed 56% disapproval, largely due to frustration over the ongoing conflict in Korea. National Archives and Records Administration. Office of Presidential Libraries. Harry S. Truman Library / Wikimedia
Jimmy Carter – 34% Approval
Carter’s early term was well-received, but crises like the Iran hostage situation and economic turmoil sank his ratings. In December 1980, just before leaving office, Gallup found 55% disapproval, reflecting public frustration ahead of Ronald Reagan's landslide win. White House / Wikimedia
George W. Bush – 34% Approval
Initially buoyed by post-9/11 unity and military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bush’s approval fell during his second term. Failures like the response to Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 financial crisis hurt his legacy. His final Gallup rating in January 2009 saw 61% disapproval. Eric Draper / Wikimedia
Donald Trump – 34% Approval
Trump made history as the first president never to break 50% in Gallup approval during his term. His final rating, collected just after the January 6 Capitol attack, was 34% approval and 62% disapproval—second only to Nixon in unpopularity upon leaving office. Shealeah Craighead / Wikimedia
Joe Biden – 40% Approval
Biden started strong with over 50% approval but faced declining numbers due to inflation, immigration issues, and foreign conflicts. By January 2025, Gallup measured 54% disapproval, reflecting public concerns following his underwhelming debate performance and the ongoing crises abroad. Adam Schultz / Wikimedia
Lyndon B. Johnson – 49% Approval
Johnson initially soared in popularity, winning 1964 in a landslide, but his approval dropped amid the Vietnam War. Though 36% approved of his handling when he bowed out of the 1968 race, that number rose to 49% by January 1969. Arnold Newman / Wikimedia
Gerald Ford – 53% Approval
Assuming office after Nixon's resignation, Ford was seen as a stabilizing force, but his decision to pardon Nixon hurt his popularity. His final rating in December 1976 showed 32% disapproval, with 15% of Americans having no opinion—Gallup’s highest “no opinion” share. David Hume Kennerly / Wikimedia
George H. W. Bush – 56% Approval
Although he lost his 1992 re-election bid, Bush left office with strong ratings. His management of foreign affairs, including the Gulf War, earned praise, though his reversal on tax promises and recession hurt. In January 1993, 56% approved of his presidency. PD-US / Wikimedia
Barack Obama – 59% Approval
Obama saw fluctuating ratings during his tenure, dipping as low as 37% in 2011 amid healthcare and economic criticism. But by the end of his second term in January 2017, his approval rebounded to 59%, with 37% disapproval. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza / Wikimedia
Dwight D. Eisenhower – 59% Approval
Eisenhower remained broadly popular throughout his two terms. His Cold War leadership kept approval high, and he left office in 1960 with only 28% disapproval—the lowest on the list. White House / Wikimedia
Ronald Reagan – 63% Approval
Reagan's economic policies and Cold War diplomacy solidified his popularity. By the end of his second term, only 29% disapproved of his job performance, and he handed over the presidency with a strong public mandate. Michael Evans / Wikimedia
Bill Clinton – 66% Approval
Despite impeachment over the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Clinton left office with the highest Gallup rating on this list. His economic successes and steady leadership helped maintain public favor. In January 2001, only 29% disapproved of his performance. Bob McNeely, The White House / Wikimedia