Former US President Barack Obama remains the most popular living former president in the United States, according to a new CNN poll, comfortably ahead of both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.
The survey, conducted by SSRS for CNN among 2,480 adults across the country, found that 57% of respondents view Obama favorably. Trump received a favorability rating of 34%, while Biden trailed at 30%.
The findings come as Obama prepares to open his long-awaited presidential center.
Obama leads among independent voters
The poll suggests Obama’s popularity extends beyond the Democratic Party. Among independent voters, his favorability rating is more than double that of either Trump or Biden. He also continues to command overwhelming support among Democrats.
While only around 20% of Republicans said they view Obama favorably, CNN noted that he still attracts more support from across party lines than either Trump or Biden.
Bush and Clinton’s ratings
The survey also gauged public opinion of other living former presidents.
Former President George W. Bush registered a 42% favorable rating against 33% unfavorable, giving him a slightly positive overall standing.
Bill Clinton, meanwhile, remains a more divisive figure, with Americans almost evenly split between favorable and unfavorable views.
CNN noted that former presidents often see their public image improve after leaving office. Bush’s reputation has rebounded considerably since departing the White House with low approval ratings.
Trump also experienced a rise in favorability before beginning his second term, reaching 46%, though those numbers have since declined.
Biden, on the other hand, currently holds the lowest favorability rating of his post-presidency. While negative views of him have softened somewhat, more Americans now say they have no opinion of the former president.
Most admired US president
When respondents were asked which US president they admire the most, Obama finished at the top with support from 30% of participants.
Trump ranked second with 19%, followed by Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan at 9% each. John F. Kennedy received 6%, while George Washington secured 5%.
Among living presidents, Bill Clinton was named by 2% of respondents, while Biden and George W. Bush were each selected by 1%.
Nearly one in ten respondents said they did not admire any US president or chose not to answer.
Among Democratic voters, 64% named Obama as the president they admire most. Kennedy, Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt followed well behind. Among Republicans, Trump led comfortably with 53% support, ahead of Reagan at 18%, Lincoln at 8%, and Kennedy and Washington at 5% each.
The poll was conducted between May 7 and May 31 through a mix of online and telephone interviews involving 2,480 adults across the United States.
