Was Joe Biden a good president?
No, there is no objective "yes" or "no"—whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is inherently subjective, depending on one's values, priorities (e.g., economy, foreign policy, social issues, immigration), partisan leanings, and what metrics matter most. Historians, economists, and the public will debate his legacy for decades, as with every president. He was a one-term president (2021–2025) who left office with low approval ratings amid significant polarization. His average Gallup job approval was about 42%, the second-lowest among post-WWII presidents (only slightly above Trump’s first-term average of ~41%), starting high around 57% and ending around 37–40%.[1]
Public opinion was deeply divided along partisan lines, with Democrats largely approving and Republicans largely disapproving. Below is a balanced summary of major accomplishments, criticisms/failures, and key metrics drawn from contemporary analyses, economic data, and legislative records. Sources include government data, CFR, NYT, Gallup, FactCheck.org, and others across the spectrum.
Major Accomplishments and Positive Assessments
Biden’s presidency featured significant legislative output early on, especially with narrow Democratic majorities, plus a strong post-COVID economic recovery in some metrics. Supporters (including many Democrats and some centrists) highlight:
Economists like Mark Zandi noted a strong recovery with low unemployment and (later) cooling inflation by the end.
Major Criticisms and Failures
Critics (including many Republicans, independents, and some on the left) point to mismanagement, unintended consequences, and political missteps. Average inflation was elevated, and he lost the 2024 election (Democrats nominated Harris after he dropped out).
Economic Snapshot (Key Metrics)
Comparisons to prior presidents (e.g., Trump pre-COVID vs. Biden recovery) are apples-to-oranges due to the pandemic shock. Presidents have limited direct control over the economy (Fed, global events matter hugely).
Broader Context and Legacy
Biden entered amid COVID, polarization, and January 6 aftermath. He achieved more major domestic legislation than many expected with thin margins, focusing on industrial policy, climate, and infrastructure—potentially lasting impacts if not fully reversed. Foreign policy restored alliances but faced messy wars. His age (oldest president), communication style, and 2024 campaign decisions overshadowed achievements for many voters, paving the way for Trump’s return.
Historians may rate the legislative productivity and recovery highly while docking for inflation pain, Afghanistan, border, and political failures. Rankings evolve (e.g., early C-SPAN or Siena surveys vary). Ultimately, "good" depends on you: If prioritizing jobs/recovery/climate/alliances, stronger case for yes. If prioritizing inflation control, border security, competent execution, or avoiding certain foreign entanglements, stronger case for no.
Citations (14)
- https://news.gallup.com/poll/655298/biden-job-approval-second-lowest-among-post-wwii-presidents.aspx
Backs: “His average Gallup job approval was about 42%, the second-lowest among post-WWII presidents (only slightly above Trump’s first-term average of ~41%), starting high around 57% and ending around 37–40%.”
- https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-administration-record
Backs: “The economy added roughly 15–16.6 million jobs over the term (with job creation every month in some tallies), unemployment fell from ~6.4–6.7% to around 4.1% (hitting a ~50-year low of 3.4% at points), and real GDP grew substantially (around 12–12.6% cumulative in some reports; strong annual rates post-rebound). Labor…”
- https://govargus.com/presidents/biden/jobs
Backs: “The economy added roughly 15–16.6 million jobs over the term (with job creation every month in some tallies), unemployment fell from ~6.4–6.7% to around 4.1% (hitting a ~50-year low of 3.4% at points), and real GDP grew substantially (around 12–12.6% cumulative in some reports; strong annual rates post-rebound). Labor…”
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/10/bidens-final-labor-numbers-lowest-unemployment-since-clinton-marred-by-inflation/
Backs: “The economy added roughly 15–16.6 million jobs over the term (with job creation every month in some tallies), unemployment fell from ~6.4–6.7% to around 4.1% (hitting a ~50-year low of 3.4% at points), and real GDP grew substantially (around 12–12.6% cumulative in some reports; strong annual rates post-rebound). Labor…”
- https://cnn.com/2025/01/19/economy/us-biden-economic-legacy
Backs: “The economy added roughly 15–16.6 million jobs over the term (with job creation every month in some tallies), unemployment fell from ~6.4–6.7% to around 4.1% (hitting a ~50-year low of 3.4% at points), and real GDP grew substantially (around 12–12.6% cumulative in some reports; strong annual rates post-rebound). Labor…”
- https://www.cfr.org/articles/bidens-legacy-major-accomplishments-unfinished-business
Backs: “Funded roads, bridges, broadband, water systems, etc.—long-sought investments. Tens of thousands of projects launched.”
- https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/15/us/politics/biden-signs-infrastructure-bill.html
Backs: “Funded roads, bridges, broadband, water systems, etc.—long-sought investments. Tens of thousands of projects launched.”
- https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/16/biden-signs-inflation-reduction-act-00052233
Backs: “Largest climate investment in U.S. history (~$300–370+ billion for clean energy, EVs, etc.), plus Medicare drug price negotiation, insulin caps, ACA subsidy extensions. Aimed at emissions reductions and healthcare affordability.”
- https://nytimes.com/2025/01/15/us/politics/biden-presidential-legacy-trump.html
Backs: “Largest climate investment in U.S. history (~$300–370+ billion for clean energy, EVs, etc.), plus Medicare drug price negotiation, insulin caps, ACA subsidy extensions. Aimed at emissions reductions and healthcare affordability.”
- https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/20/biden-presidency-legacy-policies
Backs: “Some call him "remarkably consequential" for a one-termer on domestic policy.”
- https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/blogs/security-and-risk/joe-bidens-legacy-four-successes-and-four-failures
Backs: “Stimulus spending contributed (alongside global factors like supply chains, energy shocks from Ukraine war). This eroded confidence and was a key voter concern.”
- https://www.wsj.com/economy/joe-biden-donald-trump-economy-compared-90d2d0b6
Backs: “Stimulus spending contributed (alongside global factors like supply chains, energy shocks from Ukraine war). This eroded confidence and was a key voter concern.”
- https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/02/12/bidens-legacy-achievements-and-failures-of-a-president/
Backs: “Widely criticized bipartisanly as botched, damaging competence perceptions, even if ending the war was a goal.”
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/us-politics/joe-biden-successes-failures-as-us-president-b1204148.html
Backs: “Policies criticized as lax initially; later restrictions and higher deportations came amid political pressure, but overall numbers were high historically.”