Was Joe Biden a good president?

Both sidesSays it is contested

No, or yes—depending on your priorities, values, and metrics. Evaluating any president is inherently subjective, as it involves weighing achievements against failures, short-term pain against long-term gains, domestic vs. foreign policy, and partisan lenses. Joe Biden (2021–2025) left office with historically low average approval ratings, a mixed economic record marked by strong job growth but high inflation, significant legislative wins on infrastructure and climate, and notable foreign policy and border challenges.[1]

Public Opinion and Historical Rankings

Biden’s Gallup average job approval across his term was about 42.2%, the second-lowest among post-WWII presidents (only slightly above Donald Trump’s first-term average). He started strong (around 57% early on) but fell after the Afghanistan withdrawal and never consistently recovered above 50%. Final ratings hovered around 36–42%, with high polarization (strong Democratic support, very low Republican, middling Independent).[[2]](/statistics/data/joseph-r-biden-public-approval)[3][1]

A 2024 survey of presidential historians ranked him 14th overall (score ~62.7/100), ahead of Reagan and in the top third, behind Obama and Clinton but well above recent Republicans like G.W. Bush or Trump (last). Rankings can shift with time and perspective.[4][5]

Major Accomplishments

Supporters highlight recovery from the COVID crisis, major bipartisan and partisan legislation (despite narrow congressional margins), and restored alliances:

•COVID response and economic recovery: Aggressive vaccine rollout (hundreds of millions of doses), American Rescue Plan ($1.9T relief), and subsequent growth. The economy added roughly 15–16.6 million jobs over the term (consecutive monthly gains), with unemployment falling from ~6.7% to around 4% (hitting lows near 3.4% and staying under 4% for extended periods—the longest such stretch in decades). Labor force participation rose modestly; wages increased nominally. Real GDP grew solidly (cumulative ~12–13% or more in some measures; average annual rates often 2.5–3%+ after the initial rebound). Manufacturing and private investment (aided by policy) saw boosts.[6][7][8]

•Infrastructure and industrial policy: Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (~$1.2T) for roads, bridges, broadband, water, etc. CHIPS and Science Act for semiconductor manufacturing and tech competitiveness vs. China. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as the largest U.S. climate/clean energy investment, plus Medicare drug price negotiation and insulin caps.[9][10]

•Other domestic: Expanded ACA enrollment/health coverage; first Black woman Supreme Court Justice (Ketanji Brown Jackson) and many lower-court judges; first major gun safety law in decades; veterans’ toxic exposure benefits; some marijuana-related pardons/actions.

•Foreign policy: Led Western support for Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion (arms, aid, sanctions), helping prevent a quick collapse and expanding NATO (Finland and Sweden joined). Strengthened Indo-Pacific alliances (AUKUS, Quad elements) to counter China. Ended the U.S. combat role in Afghanistan (fulfilling a long-standing goal, though execution was criticized).[9][11]

These built on post-pandemic rebound dynamics but reflected deliberate policy choices on spending, industrial strategy, and alliances.

Major Criticisms and Shortcomings

Critics point to inflation’s impact on living standards, border management, execution failures, and leadership issues:

•Inflation and cost of living: CPI rose sharply (peaking ~9.1% year-over-year in mid-2022, highest in 40 years), with cumulative consumer price increases around 15–21% over the term. Early large stimulus contributed amid supply shocks (COVID, Ukraine war, energy). Wages rose but initially lagged prices for many; real gains improved later as inflation cooled toward ~2–3%. High interest rates followed Fed tightening. Many Americans felt economic pain despite strong aggregate stats (“vibecession”).[7][8]

•Afghanistan withdrawal (2021): Chaotic exit after the Taliban takeover, with 13 U.S. service members killed in a Kabul airport attack, stranded allies, and abandoned equipment. Approval ratings dropped sharply and stayed depressed. It ended the longest U.S. war but damaged perceptions of competence.[10][12]

•Immigration and border: Record-high Southwest border encounters (millions cumulatively; peaks over 2 million in some fiscal years, with high gotaways and releases into the U.S.). Policies reversing Trump-era measures correlated with surges; later executive actions and asylum restrictions (plus Mexican cooperation) reduced numbers significantly by late 2024. Cities faced strain from migrants; critics called it a crisis of control.[12][13][14]

•Other: Age/cognitive concerns intensified (especially after the 2024 debate), leading to his withdrawal from the race—critics argued this and staff shielding damaged party prospects and raised fitness questions. Student debt relief largely blocked by courts. Israel-Hamas/Gaza war response divided Democrats (strong Israel support amid high civilian casualties). Broader progressive agenda (e.g., full Build Back Better) stalled. Some viewed foreign policy as overly cautious (Ukraine aid pacing) or inconsistent.[15][16]

Bottom Line

Biden delivered tangible progressive and bipartisan wins on recovery, infrastructure, climate/tech investment, healthcare costs, and alliances that supporters credit with strengthening the U.S. long-term and outperforming many peers post-COVID. The economy showed resilience (jobs, growth, soft landing from inflation without deep recession).[9][11]

However, high inflation eroded purchasing power and political capital; the Afghanistan exit and border numbers fueled narratives of incompetence or weakness; and personal/leadership issues (age, 2024 campaign) overshadowed policy for many. His low popularity and the 2024 election outcome (Democrats lost the White House) reflect voter dissatisfaction on kitchen-table issues and immigration.[1][17]

Whether he was “good” depends on what you prioritize: strong aggregate recovery and green/industrial policy (yes for many left-leaning or institutionalist views) vs. inflation control, border enforcement, and perceived vigor/competence (no for many right-leaning or pocketbook-focused views). Historians may revise upward over decades if investments pay off; public memory often fixates on pain points. Compare to predecessors using the same metrics for context—presidencies are rarely pure successes or failures.

2.[/statistics/data/joseph-r-biden-public-approval](/statistics/data/joseph-r-biden-public-approval)

Citations (17)

1gallup.comCompanies
https://news.gallup.com/poll/655298/biden-job-approval-second-lowest-among-post-wwii-presidents.aspx
Backs: “Joe Biden (2021–2025) left office with historically low average approval ratings, a mixed economic record marked by strong job growth but high inflation, significant legislative wins on infrastructure and climate, and notable foreign policy and border challenges.”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Biden's average Gallup job approval was about 42.2%, second-lowest among post-WWII presidents, with low final ratings and polarization.
2
/statistics/data/joseph-r-biden-public-approval
Backs: “Final ratings hovered around 36–42%, with high polarization (strong Democratic support, very low Republican, middling Independent).[[2]](/statistics/data/joseph-r-biden-public-approval)”
statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: Biden's job approval figures across his term, starting around 57% and falling after Afghanistan.
3ucsb.eduAcademic
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/statistics/data/final-presidential-job-approval-ratings
Backs: “Final ratings hovered around 36–42%, with high polarization (strong Democratic support, very low Republican, middling Independent).[[2]](/statistics/data/joseph-r-biden-public-approval)”
statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: Final presidential job approval ratings hovered around 36–42% for Biden.
4axios.comNews and mediaquality 0.90
https://www.axios.com/2024/02/19/presidents-survey-trump-ranks-last-biden-14th
Backs: “Bush or Trump (last). Rankings can shift with time and perspective.”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: 2024 historians' survey ranked Biden 14th overall, score about 62.7/100, ahead of Reagan.
5nytimes.comNews and mediaquality 0.86
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/18/us/politics/biden-trump-presidential-rankings.html
Backs: “Bush or Trump (last). Rankings can shift with time and perspective.”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Presidential historians ranked Biden in the top third while Trump placed last.
6ucsb.eduAcademic
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-administration-record
Backs: “Manufacturing and private investment (aided by policy) saw boosts.”
evidence, official document, points to yes. Claim: COVID response, American Rescue Plan and economic recovery achievements, including job growth and falling unemployment.
7forbes.comNews and mediaquality 0.83
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/10/bidens-final-labor-numbers-lowest-unemployment-since-clinton-marred-by-inflation/
Backs: “Manufacturing and private investment (aided by policy) saw boosts.”
statistic, article, neutral. Claim: Job gains and lowest unemployment since Clinton, marred by inflation; CPI rose sharply with cumulative price increases.
8cnn.comNews and mediaquality 0.66
https://cnn.com/2025/01/19/economy/us-biden-economic-legacy
Backs: “Manufacturing and private investment (aided by policy) saw boosts.”
statistic, article, neutral. Claim: Strong aggregate economic stats and growth alongside inflation pain and cost-of-living concerns.
9cfr.orgNonprofits and think tanks
https://www.cfr.org/articles/bidens-legacy-major-accomplishments-unfinished-business
Backs: “Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as the largest U.S. climate/clean energy investment, plus Medicare drug price negotiation and insulin caps.”
evidence, article, points to yes. Claim: Infrastructure, CHIPS, IRA, and foreign policy accomplishments including Ukraine support and alliances; economic resilience.
10axios.comNews and mediaquality 0.90
https://www.axios.com/2024/07/21/biden-legacy-election-2024
Backs: “Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as the largest U.S. climate/clean energy investment, plus Medicare drug price negotiation and insulin caps.”
evidence, article, neutral. Claim: Biden's legacy including IRA and drug price measures; chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal damaged approval.
11theconversation.comNews and mediaquality 0.92
https://theconversation.com/joe-bidens-legacy-four-successes-and-four-failures-246454
Backs: “Ended the U.S. combat role in Afghanistan (fulfilling a long-standing goal, though execution was criticized).”
evidence, article, neutral. Claim: Biden's successes and failures including foreign policy and the Afghanistan exit, and economic resilience.
12newsweek.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-biggest-blunders-mistakes-white-house-legacy-2016765
Backs: “It ended the longest U.S. war but damaged perceptions of competence.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Afghanistan withdrawal chaos and record border encounters as major blunders.
13pewresearch.orgNonprofits and think tanks
https://www.pewresearch.org/chart/in-2025-encounters-with-migrants-at-the-u-s-mexico-border-fell-to-their-lowest-level-since-1970/
Backs: “Cities faced strain from migrants; critics called it a crisis of control.”
statistic, data page, neutral. Claim: Border encounters fell significantly by late 2024 and in 2025.
14washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/02/11/trump-biden-immigration-border-compared/
Backs: “Cities faced strain from migrants; critics called it a crisis of control.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Record-high southwest border encounters under Biden compared with Trump.
15theatlantic.comNews and mediaquality 0.80
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/01/how-biden-destroyed-his-legacy/681342/
Backs: “Some viewed foreign policy as overly cautious (Ukraine aid pacing) or inconsistent.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Age and cognitive concerns and 2024 withdrawal damaged Biden's legacy.
16theatlantic.comNews and mediaquality 0.80
https://www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2025/05/biden-original-sin-decline/682818/
Backs: “Some viewed foreign policy as overly cautious (Ukraine aid pacing) or inconsistent.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Concerns about Biden's decline and staff shielding raised fitness questions.
17apnews.comNews and mediaquality 1.00
https://apnews.com/article/biden-political-legacy-presidential-election-5aee4f47ecb317d4f6ef2a2148eba1d8
Backs: “His low popularity and the 2024 election outcome (Democrats lost the White House) reflect voter dissatisfaction on kitchen-table issues and immigration.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Low popularity and the 2024 election loss reflected voter dissatisfaction.