Was Joe Biden a good president?

It depends on one's criteria, values, and political perspective—there's no objective "yes" or "no." Joe Biden's presidency (2021–2025) was highly polarizing, with a mixed record of legislative achievements and economic recovery alongside notable failures on inflation, the border, Afghanistan, and public perception of his fitness. Public opinion and early historical assessments reflect this division.[1]

Public Opinion

Biden left office with low approval. Gallup's average job approval for his full term was 42.2%—the second-lowest among post-WWII presidents (only Donald Trump’s first term was lower at ~41%). His final Gallup rating was around 40%; other late polls (CNN, etc.) showed 36–42% approve and 50–64% disapprove.[2]

An AP-NORC poll near the end of his term found only about 25% of Americans viewed him as a “great” or “good” president (half of Democrats, but just 10% of independents and 4% of Republicans). Roughly half saw him as “poor” or “terrible,” with about 30% calling it “average.” Most Americans did not feel they or the country were better off. Views were more negative than for recent predecessors like Obama or even Trump at the end of his first term.[1]

Key Achievements

Supporters highlight major bipartisan and party-line legislation passed despite narrow congressional majorities, a strong post-COVID economic rebound by many metrics, and foreign policy moves:

White House fact sheets and progressive analyses emphasize these as historic investments in the middle class, climate, and competitiveness vs. China.[3]

Major Criticisms and Failures

Critics (especially Republicans and some independents/centrists) point to:

Economy in Context

The recovery was robust by jobs/GDP standards (fast rebound from pandemic lows, U.S. outperformed many G7 peers), with low unemployment and wage growth in nominal terms. However, inflation significantly eroded purchasing power for many households, and consumer sentiment often lagged the “hard” data—contributing heavily to electoral losses. Real disposable income and poverty metrics showed mixed results.[11]

Historical Rankings

Early surveys of historians (e.g., 2024 Presidential Greatness Project) ranked Biden around 14th overall—mid-to-upper tier, ahead of Reagan in some tallies but behind Obama/Clinton—often crediting him for restoring norms post-Trump and legislative output. Post-term views (after the 2024 election loss and full retrospectives) appear more mixed or lower, with some calling him a “minor” or average president whose legacy is overshadowed by enabling Trump’s return. Rankings evolve over decades.[12]

Bottom line: Biden delivered significant progressive and bipartisan policy wins and oversaw a strong jobs recovery, but high inflation, border chaos, the Afghanistan debacle, and questions about leadership/fitness dominated public perception and contributed to Democratic losses in 2024. Whether that makes him “good” hinges on what one prioritizes—economic numbers and legislation vs. felt costs of living, security, and competence. Partisan lenses heavily color assessments: Democrats rate him far higher than Republicans or independents. History will continue to debate the balance.