A recent YouGov poll captures the divisive nature of Donald Trump’s legacy in American history. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the survey explores public opinions on the ‘greatest’ and ‘worst’ Americans. Trump appears prominently on both lists, reflecting his polarizing impact on the nation.
While Trump is viewed by some as an embodiment of American greatness, others see him as the worst representation. This division highlights a sharp contrast in opinions about his impact. Barack Obama is the only other president appearing on both lists, illustrating a similar divide in public perception.
According to the poll, attitudes towards Trump vary significantly along partisan lines. Republicans are more inclined to support him, whereas Democrats overwhelmingly disapprove.
Trump Tops the ‘Worst’ List
In the poll, Trump emerged as the top choice for the ‘worst’ American, securing 34 percent of the votes. This included 64 percent of Democrats, 34 percent of independents, and 4 percent of Republicans. Other controversial figures on the list are Jeffrey Epstein, and serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. Former Democratic presidents Obama and Joe Biden also find themselves included.
Lincoln Leads the ‘Greatest’ List
Conversely, Abraham Lincoln heads the ‘greatest’ list, with 18 percent of respondents naming him. This sentiment is consistent among both Democrats and Republicans. Trump is viewed as the greatest American by 8 percent of respondents, including a substantial 24 percent of Republicans, the highest for any individual among Republicans. Only 0 percent of Democrats and 2 percent of independents consider Trump the greatest American.
Other individuals recognized for their positive contributions include George Washington with 13 percent, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. at 12 percent, and former president Obama at 10 percent.
Methodology of Poll
The YouGov poll was conducted in two segments. The first survey took place between June 23-25 with 1,110 participants, while the second occurred from June 24-27 with 1,118 participants. Across both surveys, samples were weighted for key demographics to ensure representation of American adults. The margin of error stands at approximately +/-4 percentage points.
Initially, respondents answered open-ended questions on U.S. history and notable figures. Subsequent questions focused on opinions regarding specific people and issues.
YouGov acknowledged that the survey results primarily highlighted men, as historical accounts often do. They plan to release a future survey spotlighting influential women in American history.