Most Americans rate Biden as 'failed' or 'fair' president: new poll

Fox News - Jan 14th, 2025
Open on Fox News

As President Biden approaches the end of his term, a USA Today/Suffolk University poll reveals that 44% of voters nationwide believe history will judge him as a failed president, while 27% think he will be seen as fair. Meanwhile, 52% approve of Donald Trump's first term performance as he prepares for a second term after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. The poll indicates a significant shift in opinions about Trump, particularly among independent voters, who now view him more favorably compared to his previous term. Biden's presidency faced challenges such as the Afghanistan withdrawal, COVID-19 management, and economic concerns, affecting his approval ratings, which never recovered from their decline in late 2021.

The poll also highlights mixed sentiments about Trump's return to the White House, with 31% expressing excitement and an equal percentage feeling afraid. Biden's perceived accomplishments and failures were also assessed, with infrastructure investments cited as a key achievement and immigration handling seen as a major shortcoming. This poll, conducted with 1,000 registered voters, reflects the shifting political landscape and public perception as the U.S. transitions leadership once again.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents an analysis of polling data regarding the perception of President Biden and former President Trump as they transition between terms in office. While it provides detailed poll results and some context on Biden's presidency, the piece struggles with balance and source transparency. The article's reliance on a single poll limits the depth of perspective offered, and there is a noticeable lean towards critiquing Biden more harshly than Trump. The article's language is generally clear, but it occasionally lacks nuance in discussing complex political dynamics. Overall, the article effectively communicates its main points but could benefit from a wider range of sources and a more balanced approach to the political perspectives it covers.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article accurately reports polling data from a USA Today/Suffolk University survey, providing specific percentages that reflect public opinion on President Biden's and former President Trump's presidencies. These figures appear precise and are likely verifiable, given the named source. However, the article could improve accuracy by providing more context on the methodology behind the poll, such as how participants were selected. Additionally, the statement that Biden's presidency ends on Jan. 20, 2025, could be misleading without context, as it aligns with the inauguration of a new president, not Biden's term limitations. To enhance accuracy, the article should cite more diverse sources to verify the claims made, particularly those regarding approval ratings and historical assessments.

5
Balance

The article demonstrates some imbalance in its portrayal of Presidents Biden and Trump. While it presents polling data for both, the narrative seems to emphasize Biden's perceived failures more than Trump's, with phrases like 'history will assess Biden as a failed president' appearing prominently. The article notes Biden's approval ratings and lists several criticisms, such as the Afghanistan withdrawal and inflation, but does not equally highlight criticisms of Trump, focusing instead on his improved polling among independents. The lack of diverse perspectives, particularly from political analysts or experts, further skews the article's balance. To improve, the article should incorporate a broader spectrum of viewpoints and provide a more nuanced discussion of both presidents' tenures and public perceptions.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a straightforward presentation of polling data and analysis. The language used is accessible, and the article maintains a professional tone throughout. However, it occasionally lacks nuance, particularly in discussing the complex dynamics of political perceptions and historical assessments. The piece could benefit from more detailed explanations of the factors influencing public opinion, such as economic conditions or political events. Despite these minor issues, the article's logical flow and concise presentation of key points make it relatively easy to follow. Enhancing clarity would involve delving deeper into the underlying factors affecting the poll results and providing more context for readers unfamiliar with the political landscape.

6
Source quality

The primary source cited in the article is a USA Today/Suffolk University poll, which is generally reputable. However, the article relies heavily on this single source for its data, which limits the depth and breadth of its analysis. While the poll results provide a snapshot of public opinion, the article lacks input from other authoritative sources, such as political analysts or historians, to contextualize the findings. Additionally, it does not delve into potential biases or limitations of the poll itself. To enhance source quality, the article should incorporate a wider array of sources, including expert commentary, to provide a more comprehensive and well-rounded view of the topic.

4
Transparency

The article falls short on transparency, particularly in disclosing the context of the polling data and potential biases. While it mentions the poll's margin of error, it does not provide sufficient detail on how the poll was conducted, such as the demographic breakdown of respondents or the framing of questions. Furthermore, there is no discussion of potential conflicts of interest or the affiliations of the pollsters, which could influence the results. The article could also benefit from clarifying its own editorial stance or any potential biases in its reporting. To improve transparency, it should provide more background on the polling process and disclose any relevant affiliations that might impact the article's impartiality.