Poll Reveals Public Perception of Trump, Biden, and Obama

President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden hold similar standing in public perception according to a national poll, both securing 40% positive ratings. Former President Barack Obama leads in public approval with a favorable rating of 54% as detailed in a survey by AtlasIntel released just before the midterm elections.

Trump’s unfavorable rating is the highest among the three, sitting at 58%. Biden follows with a 54% negative rating, while Obama’s stands at 44%. The findings spotlight public sentiment as voting concludes, influencing control of Congress during Trump’s second term.

Comparison of Net Ratings

Analyzing net ratings, which subtract negative from positive perceptions, Trump registers at minus 18, Biden at minus 14, and Obama at plus 10. These results were obtained through a survey involving 3,566 U.S. adults from October 28 to November 1, using AtlasIntel’s Random Digital Recruitment method. The survey’s margin of error is reported as plus or minus 2 percentage points.

It is vital to differentiate between positive and net ratings. Similar positive responses can mask differences in negative perceptions. These ratings focus on individual impressions, not as predictors of election outcomes.

Public Figures’ Positive Ratings

Michelle Obama achieved a 52% positive rating, topping Trump by 12 percentage points. Several Democrats, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Secretary Pete Buttigieg, earned a 47% positive rating. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis equaled Trump’s 40% rating, while others like Kamala Harris and JD Vance were slightly lower.

Minor differences must be cautiously interpreted. Polling figures depend on recognition and question phrasing, potentially affecting outcomes.

Alternative Polling Insights

An earlier CNN survey by SSRS also highlighted Obama’s popularity over Trump and Biden, showing a 57% favorable rating for Obama. This stands in contrast to 34% for Trump and 30% for Biden. Independents significantly favored Obama. Among admired presidents, Obama led, with Trump trailing at 19%.

Another survey showed George W. Bush at a 42% favorable rating and a mixed view on Bill Clinton.

Polls and the Midterm Elections

Additional surveys provide a broader perspective on Trump’s office performance. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated only 32% approval of Trump’s performance, with lower economic approval. Among voters, 53% preferred Democratic congressional candidates, opposed to 44% for Republicans.

A CNN/SSRS poll showed Democrats holding a 10-point lead in congressional preference. Many voters view the election as a means to drive change in Washington.

Upcoming Elections

On November 3, all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats face contention. The election outcome will define control of Congress beginning January 3, 2027. Crucially, voter dissatisfaction could impact Republican candidates and alter Capitol Hill’s power dynamics.

Newsweek’s editorial team utilized the AI assistant Martyn in developing this report.