Assessing Presidential Approval Ratings: Trump, Biden, and Past Leaders

April 27, 2025, 9:10 AM EDT / Updated February 11, 2026, 6:08 AM EST

In the initial year of President Donald Trump’s second term, the United States has witnessed significant events, including the imposition of assertive tariffs, the most prolonged federal government shutdown in the country’s history, the passage of a substantial tax cut and spending bill, as well as immigration raids that have sparked widespread protests.

Public Opinion on Trump’s Performance

The American public’s perception of President Trump’s job performance is a topic of interest, particularly when compared to the views on Joe Biden and other previous presidents. Understanding these opinions provides insights into how Trump’s leadership is perceived in the context of his predecessors.

Tracking Presidential Approval Ratings

For over three decades, NBC News has been monitoring presidential approval ratings. The visual data compiled in charts reveals President Trump’s current approval rating. Additionally, it offers historical comparisons with approval ratings of Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

This information is continuously updated as NBC News releases new polls, ensuring that the analysis remains relevant and reflective of the latest public sentiment.

Contributors to this analysis include Alex Ford, a former interactive journalist at NBC News, Jiachuan Wu, a senior interactive journalist for NBC News Digital, and Nigel Chiwaya, the Senior Editor of Data Visualization for NBC News Digital.