The latest polls indicate a tight race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in a hypothetical rematch, with both candidates emerging as frontrunners. However, a recent survey conducted by the Presidential Greatness Project sheds light on how these two presidents fare in comparison to their predecessors.
According to the survey, which involved top academics ranking U.S. presidents from best to worst, Donald Trump found himself at the bottom of the list, securing the 45th position out of 45 presidents. On the other hand, Joe Biden fared relatively better, landing at the 14th spot.
The rankings reflect a trend where Republican presidents, such as Trump, tend to receive lower ratings from academics who often lean towards the Democratic party. This bias was evident in recent election results, where Trump received minimal support from both Democrats and Republicans.
Notably, the top three positions in the rankings were occupied by Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), and George Washington, in that order. While Lincoln claimed the top spot, FDR and Washington followed closely behind.
The survey also highlighted shifts in rankings over time, with historical figures like Ulysses S. Grant moving up from 30th to 17th place, while Andrew Johnson plummeted from 23rd to 43rd. These changes underscore the evolving perspectives of historians as they reassess presidential legacies.
The article also alludes to the potential for Donald Trump's ranking to fluctuate in the future, emphasizing that historical evaluations are subject to revision. The example of William Henry Harrison, whose brief presidency of 30 days remains overlooked by history, serves as a reminder of how presidential legacies can be reevaluated over time.
