Since 1980, what president had the lowest approval rating at the time of their inauguration?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
Happy Presidents' Day! Since 1980, what president had the lowest approval rating, and what presidents had the highest approval ratings at the time of their inauguration?
How does President Trump’s approval rating at the beginning of his first term compare to his second term?
You might assume that to win office and become president you would have to have approval of more than half of the people, but actually 3 of the past 12 presidents came to office with less than 50% approval. Explain how the American system of elections makes it possible for someone to have less than 50% approval and still win a presidential election.
Clinton, Obama, Biden are Democrats; Reagan, H.W. Bush, W. Bush, and Trump are Republicans. Explain whether you detect any correlation between political party and approval ratings.
Presidential rally points are a rise in public approval of the president that follows a crisis as Americans "rally 'round the flag" and the chief executive. Do you imagine there is any event that could actually rally Americans to the same team today?
Explain how approval ratings impact the ability of presidents to govern.
George H.W. Bush was a one term president. Trump was a one term president when Biden kicked him out of office in 2020. But now Trump is a two-term president now that he kicked Biden out of office in 2024 - making Biden a one term president. Do you think it is more likely that Joe Biden or George H.W. Bush will return to the presidency in 2028 (Pro Tip: George H.W. Bush is dead)?
What Constitutional provision makes it equally unlikely for President Clinton, W. Bush, Obama, and Trump to become president in 2028?
What do you notice about the approval ratings of the one-term presidents from the visual above.
In Federalist No. 70, Alexander Freaking Hamilton argues for a strong executive leader, as provided for by the Constitution, as opposed to the weak executive under the Articles of Confederation. He asserts, “energy in the executive is the leading character in the definition of good government. What do you think Hamilton would think about the currrent Trump presidency?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact POTUS TRUMP or tweet him at @RealDonaldTrump with one piece of advice about improving his approval ratings.
Get Creative
If presidential approval ratings were a ride at an amusement park, what ride would it be?
Learning Extension
Follow the daily interactive Trump approval ratings from FiveThirtyEight. Take our online presidents quiz to see how much you know about the American Presidents.