President Joe Biden’s job approval rating averaged 38.7% during his 13th quarter in office, which ranks as the lowest among the last ten U.S. presidents elected to their first term since Dwight Eisenhower. This period spans from January 20 to April 19. The previous low for a president during the same quarter was held by George H.W. Bush, who had an average approval rating of 41.8% in 1992.
Biden’s immediate predecessors, Donald Trump and Barack Obama, had 13th-quarter job approval averages of 46.8% and 45.9%, respectively. Jimmy Carter also recorded a sub-50% average during this period. Historically, three out of four presidents with sub-50% ratings at this stage did not win reelection, with Obama being the exception.
Presidents who have been reelected, such as Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, had approval ratings between 51% and 55% during their 13th quarters. Dwight Eisenhower held the highest 13th-quarter rating at 73.2%.
From a broader historical perspective, Biden’s recent quarterly approval ranks 277th out of 314 presidential quarters since 1945, placing it in the bottom 12% of all presidential quarters recorded by Gallup.
The latest data from Gallup, collected from April 1-22, shows Biden’s approval at 38%, consistent with ratings from the previous months of March (40%) and February (38%). His approval ratings have hovered around 40% following an initial period above 50% during his first two quarters.
Biden’s approval ratings are particularly low among Republicans, at just 2%, and weak among independents at 33%. However, 83% of Democrats continue to support him. Despite attempts to gain momentum, including a State of the Union address in March, Biden’s approval has not significantly improved.
As the election approaches, Biden’s current standing presents a significant challenge compared to his predecessors, with about six months remaining before Election Day.