Whether Joe Biden was a "good president" is a matter of political opinion and values, not something that can be settled with a factual answer—reasonable people disagree based on their priorities, ideology, and how they weigh different outcomes. Rather than giving you my own verdict, let me lay out some of the major areas of his record that are commonly cited on both sides, and you can weigh them based on what matters most to you.
Arguments often made in his favor:
•Economic recovery: Unemployment stayed historically low for most of his term, and the economy avoided the recession many predicted.
•Legislative achievements: He signed major bipartisan infrastructure legislation, the CHIPS Act (semiconductor manufacturing), and the Inflation Reduction Act (climate, health care, tax provisions).
•COVID-19 response: Vaccine distribution expanded significantly during his first year.
•Foreign policy: He rallied NATO and Western allies in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and many credit him with restoring more traditional diplomatic alliances after the Trump era.
•Judicial appointments: He appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.
Arguments often made against him:
•Inflation: Prices rose sharply in 2021-2023, which became a major political liability and a top concern for voters.
•Immigration: Record numbers of migrant encounters at the southern border drew criticism from both parties at times.
•Afghanistan withdrawal: The chaotic 2021 pullout, including the Kabul airport attack that killed 13 U.S. service members, was widely criticized.
•Age and fitness for office: Concerns about his age and mental acuity grew throughout his term, culminating in his withdrawal from the 2024 race after a widely criticized debate performance.
•Israel-Gaza war: His handling of the conflict drew criticism from multiple directions—some felt he was too supportive of Israel, others felt he didn't support Israel enough.
Where to go from here:
If you want, I can go deeper on any specific area (economy, foreign policy, specific legislation, etc.) with more detail and current data, or look into how historians and political scientists are currently rating his presidency in early retrospectives. Just let me know what angle interests you most.