Was Joe Biden a good president?
No objective "yes" or "no" exists—whether Joe Biden (46th U.S. President, 2021–2025) was a "good" president is inherently subjective and depends on one's priorities (e.g., economy, foreign policy, social issues, leadership style), values, and metrics. He was a one-term president who withdrew from the 2024 race amid concerns about his age and fitness, after which Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump. His average Gallup approval rating was around 42% (high ~57% early on, low ~36%, ending near 37–40%), among the lower modern averages, reflecting deep polarization and voter dissatisfaction on issues like inflation and immigration.[1]
Assessments from sources like CFR, CNN, BBC, and others highlight significant legislative and economic accomplishments alongside notable failures and unfinished business. Historians may revise views over time as long-term effects (e.g., infrastructure, climate investments, manufacturing) become clearer. Here is a balanced factual overview based on major records.
Major Achievements and Strengths
Supporters (often Democrats/progressives) view this as one of the most productive domestic agendas since LBJ’s Great Society or FDR, emphasizing industrial policy, climate, and recovery from crisis while navigating division.[5]
Major Criticisms and Weaknesses
Critics (often Republicans/conservatives) argue he oversaw unnecessary inflation, open borders, foreign policy missteps, and declined personally, with messaging failures preventing credit for positives. Approval stayed underwater for most of the term.[10]
Context and Bottom Line
Biden took office amid COVID, economic shutdown recovery, and extreme polarization post-2020. His early legislative productivity was impressive given the margins. The economy delivered a historic jobs rebound and avoided recession amid global shocks, but voters felt pain from prices. Long-term bets on infrastructure, chips, and clean energy may pay off (or not) later. Foreign policy restored alliances in Europe/Asia for some observers but faced hard tests.
Public verdict via polls and the 2024 outcome was negative overall. Scholarly first drafts note major accomplishments overshadowed by inflation, immigration, Gaza, and personal decline.[11]
Ultimately, "good" depends on what you value most: If prioritizing big domestic investments, post-crisis recovery metrics, and alliance-building, many rate him highly. If prioritizing low inflation/costs, border control, decisive personal leadership, or certain foreign outcomes, many rate him poorly. Review primary data (BLS jobs/unemployment, BEA GDP, CPI inflation, CBO budgets, State Dept. records) and multiple perspectives for your own judgment. Legacies evolve—Truman and others looked better in hindsight.
Citations (11)
- https://www.davemanuel.com/us-presidential-approval-ratings-history.php
Backs: “His average Gallup approval rating was around 42% (high ~57% early on, low ~36%, ending near 37–40%), among the lower modern averages, reflecting deep polarization and voter dissatisfaction on issues like inflation and immigration.”
- https://www.cfr.org/expert-brief/bidens-legacy-major-accomplishments-unfinished-business
Backs: “COVID relief, stimulus checks, expanded child tax credit (temporarily cut child poverty significantly), vaccine/testing support, and aid to states/businesses.”
- https://cnn.com/2025/01/19/economy/us-biden-economic-legacy
Backs: “Roads, bridges, broadband, water, transit, and clean energy projects.”
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Joe_Biden
Backs: “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (first major gun safety law in decades), Respect for Marriage Act (codifying same-sex/interracial marriage), PACT Act (veterans' health), Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and appointing Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court (plus many diverse judges).”
- https://www.ms.now/opinion/msnbc-opinion/biden-presidential-record-legacy-rcna184617
Backs: “Supporters (often Democrats/progressives) view this as one of the most productive domestic agendas since LBJ’s Great Society or FDR, emphasizing industrial policy, climate, and recovery from crisis while navigating division.”
- https://www.inkl.com/news/joe-biden-s-legacy-four-successes-and-four-failures
Backs: “Critics (including Republicans) blamed excessive spending/stimulus. National debt rose significantly.”
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/us-politics/joe-biden-successes-failures-as-us-president-b1204148.html
Backs: “Later executive actions and deportations increased, with some drop-off, but it remained a top voter concern.”
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowprint/111932432.cms
Backs: “Rapid Taliban takeover, chaotic evacuation, U.S. deaths (including 13 service members in a bombing), stranded allies, and abandoned equipment drew bipartisan condemnation as poorly planned.”
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vd5n3el6no
Backs: “Polarization intensified; trust in institutions remained low.”
- https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2025/0116/biden-legacy-economy-immigration
Backs: “Critics (often Republicans/conservatives) argue he oversaw unnecessary inflation, open borders, foreign policy missteps, and declined personally, with messaging failures preventing credit for positives. Approval stayed underwater for most of the term.”
- https://muse.jhu.edu/book/144030
Backs: “Scholarly first drafts note major accomplishments overshadowed by inflation, immigration, Gaza, and personal decline.”