(SeaPRwire) – By: Gavin Thorne
Donald Trump’s latest Truth Social post isn’t just an ego trip—it’s a calculated play to cement his grip on the Republican base. He ranked himself the “greatest” U.S. president, placing Lincoln and Washington a tier below. The timing isn’t random: it came right after CNN highlighted an Elon University poll showing his dominance among GOP voters. This move isn’t about history; it’s about rewriting it to serve his political brand.
The graphic divides presidents into six tiers. Trump stands alone at the top. Lincoln, Washington, FDR, Wilson, Jefferson, and Jackson are in “Great.” Biden, Obama, Carter, Grant, and Harding land in “Failures.” The list includes 34 presidents but omits 11—Reagan, Eisenhower, JFK, Nixon, and both Bushes among them. These omissions aren’t accidental; they avoid comparing himself to figures that might overshadow his narrative.
The ranking is an altered version of a 1948 LIFE magazine survey. Back then, Harvard’s Arthur Schlesinger Sr. asked 55 historians to rank presidents into five tiers. Trump added a “Greatest” tier for himself and slotted recent Democrats into “Failures.” The original had no space for a self-proclaimed top dog—this is a rewrite of established historical framing.
The Elon poll Trump referenced shows 53% of Republicans name him their most admired GOP president. Reagan comes in at 18%, Lincoln at 8%. CNN’s Harry Enten called this a “historic comparison,” noting Trump nearly triples Reagan’s support. For Trump, this data is fuel to claim he’s the party’s undisputed leader, even as his broader approval plummets.
Expert surveys tell a different story. The Presidential Greatness Project ranked Trump last in 2018 with 12.34 points out of 100 (Lincoln had 95.03). It repeated the last-place ranking in 2024. His second-term approval hit a record low 33% (Reuters/Ipsos), with 65% disapproving. On the economy, only 30% approve, and 22% back his inflation handling. This ranking is a pushback against these harsh numbers.
This self-ranking will become a staple of Trump’s campaign rallies, even as it widens the gap between his base and the rest of the electorate.
Author bio: Gavin Thorne, an investigative journalist tracking special interests and legislative affairs based in Washington, D.C.