REAL TALK

NEWS POLITICS

President Biden’s Approval Ratings Hit Historic Low: Comparing Third-Year Performance to Past Presidents

ByAlki David

Jan 27, 2024

In the wake of President Joe Biden’s third year in office, a notable trend in public sentiment has emerged, capturing the attention of political observers and citizens alike. According to Gallup polling data spanning from January 20, 2023, to January 19, 2024, only 39.8% of Americans on average approved of the President’s job performance. This figure raises eyebrows, especially when compared to historical data from prior presidents in the Gallup polling era.

Among those who embarked on their first term in office, President Biden finds himself in a precarious position, with approval ratings reminiscent of Jimmy Carter’s turbulent third year. Carter faced a challenging landscape, navigating soaring gas prices, double-digit inflation, and the hostage crisis in Iran. Despite these hurdles, his average approval was slightly higher at 37.4%.

Examining the landscape of other presidents in their third year, Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Richard Nixon all experienced sub-50% approval ratings during this critical juncture of their presidencies. In stark contrast, Dwight Eisenhower stands out as an outlier, boasting an impressive 72.1% approval—the highest among his peers.

These historical comparisons shed light on the challenges faced by President Biden and emphasize the significance of public opinion in shaping political narratives. It is essential to note that approval ratings are dynamic and influenced by a myriad of factors, from economic conditions to international events.

As we reflect on this data, it is clear that the third year in office can be a pivotal moment for any president, offering a glimpse into the effectiveness of their leadership and policies. The current administration must navigate these challenges with an eye toward addressing the concerns of the American people and steering the course towards greater public satisfaction.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.