A new national poll has shed light on how Americans feel about former President Barack Obama compared to Donald Trump, just as voters in Virginia and New Jersey prepare for their gubernatorial elections on Tuesday, November 4. The results reveal that Obama remains far more popular than Trump, even years after leaving office, showing how strong his legacy still is among the American public.
In the days leading up to the elections, Obama hit the campaign trail, appearing at rallies in Newark, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia, to support Democratic candidates Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger. Polls suggest both have a real chance of winning, and Obama’s presence was aimed at energizing Democratic voters. During his speeches, however, the former president stepped out of his usual calm and reserved tone to deliver pointed criticism of the current Trump administration.
Obama accused the Republicans of having policies that were “worse than even I expected” and suggested that Trump’s government has attacked free speech, targeted immigrants, and undermined public health. He also condemned the use of the National Guard in cities to stop what he described as “crime waves that don’t actually exist.” His comments received loud applause from the crowd and quickly spread across social media, reigniting debates about the country’s political direction.
Around the same time, a new Marquette University poll asked 1,005 adults across the United States about their opinions of several past and present presidents. The results showed a clear difference in how Americans view Obama and Trump.
According to the poll, 57% of Americans have a favorable opinion of Obama, while 40% view him unfavorably. That gives him a net favorability rating of +17 points. Trump, on the other hand, received a 42% favorable rating and 57% unfavorable, leaving him with a net favorability of -15 points.
The poll also compared how other presidents since Ronald Reagan are viewed. Reagan remains the most highly regarded, with a +28 rating. Meanwhile, George H.W. Bush sits at +17, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both at +8, while current president Joe Biden has the lowest favorability of all, with a striking -24 rating.
Political expert Meena Bose, from Hofstra University’s School of Government, said Obama’s continued popularity is not surprising. She explained that his “personal appeal, inspirational speeches, and unexpected success in the 2008 election” continue to shape how people remember him. Bose added that his campaign message of “hope and change” still resonates strongly with many Americans, long after his presidency ended in 2017.
Obama’s image as a unifying and optimistic leader stands in sharp contrast to Trump’s divisive and confrontational approach. While Trump’s supporters remain fiercely loyal, his overall numbers show that most Americans still view him unfavorably.
However, the poll results don’t necessarily mean there’s a major political shift toward Democrats or a renewed push for Obama-style leadership. Instead, they reflect how people personally feel about individual leaders rather than political parties.
Experts believe the findings could still play a role in shaping how Democrats campaign. Many within the party hope to remind voters of the differences between Trump’s leadership and Obama’s, using that comparison to motivate turnout in key state and national races.
Obama’s ongoing popularity has also been confirmed by a Gallup poll earlier this year, which found that he remains the most admired living president, with 59% of participants saying they view him positively compared to 36% who did not.
As for the upcoming elections, Democrats are looking to maintain their hold in states like Virginia and New Jersey, while Republicans are hoping to gain ground before the 2026 midterms. Political analyst Micah Rasmussen from Rider University noted that for Republicans to overcome Democratic margins in these states, they would need a “very big Election Day turnout.”
The latest poll serves as a reminder that Barack Obama’s influence on American politics is still strong, even nearly a decade after leaving office. Meanwhile, Donald Trump continues to divide public opinion—beloved by his base but widely disliked by others—showing that the political and cultural battle between the two men’s legacies remains alive in the minds of voters.
