Presidents’ Day is the perfect excuse to pause, reflect, and maybe have a little fun judging the people who’ve been running the country since 1977. Historians don’t always agree, but if they did a roast over brunch, this is probably how it would go—ranked from best to… let’s say “more complicated.”
At the top, we have the guy who somehow made being president look effortlessly cool: Barack Obama. He guided the country out of the Great Recession, passed the Affordable Care Act, and managed to stay scandal-free—a feat so impressive it almost seems suspicious. For historians, he’s the adult in the room we didn’t know we were missing.
Just behind him in wisdom and “get-things-done” is George H. W. Bush. The father of another president, Bush Sr. navigated the end of the Cold War and built coalitions to win the Gulf War. Sure, he famously promised “no new taxes” and then didn’t stick to it, but foreign policy historians still give him high marks for his strategic savvy.
Next up is Bill Clinton, the president whose economic record was practically a love letter to Wall Street. Budget surpluses, strong growth, and a booming economy earned him high praise. Unfortunately, the impeachment saga reminds us that charisma and policy brilliance don’t always protect you from eyebrow-raising headlines.
Ronald Reagan reshaped American politics in ways that still echo today. Loved by conservatives and debated by economists, his legacy includes both Cold War triumphs and ongoing debates about the long-term effects of Reaganomics. Smooth talker, cowboy charm, economic controversies—classic Reagan cocktail.
Jimmy Carter earns his spot in the history books for moral leadership and human rights advocacy, though economic struggles and the Iran hostage crisis keep him from the very top. He’s the president historians love to respect, even if he didn’t always make the economy smile.
Fast-forward to Joe Biden, whose presidency is still fresh in the historical record. Infrastructure initiatives, climate policy, and industrial programs are shaping his legacy, making him the cautious sequel everyone is watching with curiosity.
George W. Bush’s tenure is a study in contrasts: 9/11 leadership and global health initiatives like PEPFAR earned him respect, but the Iraq War and 2008 financial crisis dragged his ranking down. His story reminds us that history tends to weigh mistakes just as heavily as successes.
And finally, Donald Trump—a figure who makes history interesting, if nothing else. Multiple impeachments, January 6, and ongoing institutional conflicts put him at the bottom of historian rankings, though his impact on political discourse ensures he’ll be debated for generations.
So this Presidents’ Day, as we honor the office, let’s raise a glass (or a coffee mug) to the highs, lows, and headline-making moments of the last several decades. From Obama’s cool confidence at the top to Trump’s headline-grabbing antics at the bottom, history is never boring—and neither is judging it.
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