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75 Years of Presidential Approval Ratings

By Charles Apple

The most powerful person in the world? Never mind that. All too often, the man in the Oval Office seems at the mercy of approval ratings. Here’s a look at 75 years of presidential job approval ratings as measured by Gallup Inc.

HARRY TRUMAN

Days in office:
2,840

Average approval rating:
45%

Dwight Eisenhower

Days in office:
2,922

Average approval rating:
65%

John F. Kennedy

Days in office:
1,036

Average approval rating:
70%

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

Days in office:
1,886

Average approval rating:
55%

Richard Nixon

Days in office:
2,027

Average approval rating:
49%

GERALD FORD

Days in office:
895

Average approval rating:
47%

Jimmy Carter

Days in office:
1,461

Average approval rating:
46%

Ronald Reagan

Days in office:
2,922

Average approval rating:
53%

George H.W. Bush

Days in office:
1,461

Average approval rating:
61%

Bill Clinton

Days in office:
2,922

Average approval rating:
55%

George W. Bush

Days in office:
2,922

Average approval rating:
49%

Barack Obama

Days in office:
2,922

Average approval rating:
48%

Donald Trump

Days in office:
1,245 (As of June 12, 2020)

Average approval rating:
40%

Sources: Gallup Inc., “The American President” by Kathryn Moore, “Presidents: All You Need to Know” by Carter Smith