- Obama leads Trump in new Marquette popularity poll.
- Reagan remains most admired U.S. president.
- Biden ranks lowest among modern American leaders.
A new national survey by Marquette University has revealed that former U.S. President Barack Obama remains more popular than Donald Trump among Americans, maintaining a strong lead in public perception years after leaving office.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the September 2025 poll, which surveyed 1,005 American adults, asked respondents about their favorability toward all U.S. presidents who have served since 1981. According to the results, 57 percent of Americans said they have a favorable view of Obama, while 40 percent expressed an unfavorable opinion, giving the former president a net favorability rating of +17.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump received a 42 percent favorable rating and a 57 percent unfavorable rating, resulting in a net score of -15. The finding reinforces a consistent trend seen in previous surveys where Obama’s popularity has remained stable since he left office in 2017, while Trump’s image continues to divide public opinion.
Trump, who has often targeted Obama in his speeches, recently reignited the rivalry by criticizing the former president’s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize win. “They gave it to Obama for doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country,” Trump said in early October, renewing political tensions between the two.
While Obama maintains a strong following, the poll revealed that former President Ronald Reagan remains the most admired modern American leader. Reagan, who served from 1981 to 1989, was viewed favorably by 58 percent of respondents and unfavorably by 30 percent, earning a +28 net favorability score.
Despite facing major challenges such as the Iran-Contra scandal during his presidency, Reagan’s posthumous reputation has continued to rise, especially among Republicans and older voters.
At the other end of the spectrum, President Joe Biden ranked as the least popular modern president, with 37 percent viewing him favorably and 61 percent unfavorably — a net rating of -24. Analysts suggest that his poor numbers may reflect short-term political frustrations over the economy and foreign policy rather than a final assessment of his legacy.
The survey also ranked other recent leaders. Former President George H.W. Bush had a net favorability rating of +17, with 53 percent viewing him favorably and 36 percent unfavorably. Bill Clinton received a +8 net rating, with 51 percent favorable and 43 percent unfavorable, while George W. Bush earned a +8 rating with 50 percent favorable and 42 percent unfavorable.
Overall, the Marquette University survey underscores how public opinion continues to evolve long after presidents leave office, with Obama maintaining broad appeal across generations and Trump remaining one of the most polarizing figures in modern U.S. politics.
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