Polls Flip the Script: More Americans Now Say Biden Was a Better President Than Trump

Published: February 2026

In a dramatic shift in public opinion, recent national polling now shows that a majority of Americans view Joe Biden as having been a better president than Donald Trump, marking a noteworthy reversal from earlier perceptions about the two most recent U.S. presidents. The trend has drawn intense attention from political analysts, pundits, and policymakers as 2026 congressional midterms and future presidential jockeying loom on the horizon.

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey, conducted February 2–4, 2026, found 48 percent of respondents saying Joe Biden was the better president compared with 40 percent who chose Donald Trump, with the remaining respondents undecided or favoring other options. The margin of error in the poll was ±3 percentage points. 

This sentiment comes as Trump’s approval ratings and broader public satisfaction show signs of decline, particularly around economic confidence, cost of living concerns, and key policy areas — giving Biden a comparative edge in retrospective evaluations of presidential performance. 

Why This Shift Is Significant

For much of the political landscape since 2020, public sentiment about Biden and Trump has been deeply polarized. Historical polls from the Pew Research Center in 2024 showed that 41 percent of voters rated Trump as a “good or great” president while just 28 percent said the same of Biden, illustrating how strongly partisan perceptions once favored Trump, at least retrospectively. 

The recent polls suggest a reversal of that dynamic. The Rasmussen data — particularly notable because Rasmussen is a polling firm often cited by Republican supporters — adds credibility to the narrative that bipartisan views about Biden’s presidency may be improving. 

In addition, an earlier Harvard/Harris poll showed a slim majority of respondents saying Trump’s performance was worse than Biden’s, signaling that negative assessments of Trump’s current tenure are growing relative to Biden’s record. 

Trump’s job performance has faced growing public skepticism, especially around economic issues. Independent analysts highlighted that Trump’s net approval on employment plunged sharply, with many Americans rating the job market poorly and expecting unemployment to rise — factors that can influence retrospective judgment about presidential effectiveness. 

Poll Specifics: Who Says What?

Biden’s Strength in Retrospective Evaluation

48 percent of respondents in the latest poll said Biden was a better president than Trump.  In the Harvard/Harris survey, a slight majority said Trump was doing a worse job than Biden. 

Trump’s Weakening Metrics

Trump’s approval on economy and jobs has dropped significantly, with analysts describing a major shift in public perception.  Trump’s overall approval has trended down in other national tracking polls. 

How Americans View Presidential Records

While favorability and personal likability remain polarized, retrospective presidential assessments now lean slightly in Biden’s favor in key surveys. This is notable given that both presidents have faced historically low approval ratings at certain points during and after their terms.

Why Voter Sentiment Is Shifting

Economic Realities

Perceptions about the economy weigh heavily on evaluations of presidential performance. Despite macroeconomic indicators showing some stability, many Americans feel daily financial pressures — particularly around inflation and living costs. Persistent concerns about affordability can erode support for the incumbent or current administration. 

Leadership and National Mood

Americans’ belief in the direction of the country has softened, with recent polls indicating a decline in optimism about future quality of life. National mood — pessimism about long‑term prospects — often correlates with how voters assess political leadership in hindsight. 

Political Polarization and Media Narratives

Both Biden and Trump presided over highly polarized eras. For many voters, retrospective assessments blend policy judgment with cultural and partisan identity. Recent polls reveal that independent and swing voters may be key drivers in the shift toward seeing Biden more favorably relative to Trump. 

What This Means for U.S. Politics

The trend of more Americans perceiving Biden as a better president than Trump has major implications for U.S. political dynamics:

Election Strategy: Republican strategists may need to recalibrate how they frame Trump’s record ahead of future elections. Democratic Messaging: Democrats could use retrospective approval trends to bolster support for their broader policy agenda. Independent Voters: Swing voters — who often decide national outcomes — appear increasingly unpredictable and could drive key margins in upcoming electoral cycles.

Quick Summary

Rasmussen Reports finds 48 percent of Americans now view Biden as a better president than Trump (40 percent).  Other polls like Harvard/Harris show similar trends of Americans rating Trump’s performance lower than Biden’s.  Economic perceptions, public dissatisfaction with policy areas, and shifting independent voter sentiment are likely driving the reevaluation.  The shift is significant in shaping political narratives ahead of future elections.

Opinion

More Americans now see Joe Biden as a better president than Donald Trump—a sign that voters may be valuing stability and competence over personality and spectacle. Trump’s polarizing tenure energized his base but left many skeptical of long-term leadership. This shift could reshape party strategies, giving Democrats a chance to highlight results and forcing Republicans to rethink their message. Ultimately, it shows that political memory is fluid, and leadership is judged by impact, not just headlines.