A new national poll released ahead of America’s 250th anniversary is putting President Donald Trump back at the center of the political conversation—and the results highlight just how divided the country remains over his presidency.
The nationwide survey found that Trump received the most votes when Americans were asked to name the “worst” person in U.S. history. At the same time, he also ranked among the top choices for the nation’s “greatest” American, underscoring the strong opinions he continues to generate from both supporters and critics.
The findings illustrate the deep political divide that continues to shape public opinion as Trump serves his second term in the White House.
New Survey Shows Americans Sharply Divided Over Trump
According to the YouGov survey, 34 percent of respondents selected President Trump when asked to identify the worst person in American history.
The political breakdown tells an even more revealing story. Nearly 64 percent of Democrats chose Trump, while 34 percent of independent voters shared that opinion. Among Republicans, however, only 4 percent gave the same response.
The survey also included several controversial historical figures, infamous criminals, and former U.S. presidents, reflecting the wide range of names considered by participants.
The results reinforce what numerous national polls have shown for years: Americans remain deeply divided in their views of Donald Trump, with political affiliation continuing to play the biggest role in how voters evaluate his presidency.
Republicans Continue To Stand Behind Trump
While Democrats viewed the president overwhelmingly negatively, Republican voters offered a dramatically different perspective.
Among Republicans surveyed, 24 percent named Trump as the greatest American in history—the highest percentage received by any individual in that group.
Overall, 8 percent of all respondents selected Trump as America’s greatest historical figure. No Democrats chose him, while just 2 percent of independents shared that view.
The findings mirror years of polling showing that Republicans continue to view Trump’s leadership favorably, while Democrats remain strongly opposed to his presidency.
Abraham Lincoln Earns The Top Overall Ranking
Despite the intense debate surrounding Trump, former President Abraham Lincoln received the highest overall ranking as America’s greatest historical figure.
Eighteen percent of respondents selected Lincoln, with support coming in at nearly identical levels from both Republicans and Democrats.
Former President George Washington ranked second with 13 percent, followed by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. at 12 percent. Former President Barack Obama rounded out the top group with 10 percent of respondents naming him the greatest American.
Interestingly, Trump and Obama were the only two presidents to appear on both the survey’s “greatest” and “worst” lists, highlighting how both figures continue to generate sharply different opinions among voters.
How The Poll Was Conducted
YouGov conducted two nationwide online surveys in late June, collecting responses from more than 2,200 American adults.
Researchers weighted the sample to reflect the U.S. population across key demographic groups, with an overall margin of error of approximately plus or minus four percentage points.
The polling began with open-ended questions asking participants to identify the greatest and worst figures in American history. Those responses were then used to create follow-up surveys measuring opinions on the most frequently mentioned individuals.
YouGov also noted that this survey primarily focused on male historical figures because they have traditionally received greater attention in history books. The polling organization said it plans to release a separate survey examining the women who have had the greatest impact on American history.
A Debate That Isn’t Going Away
Whether viewed as one of America’s most successful presidents or one of its most controversial political figures, Donald Trump continues to dominate the national conversation unlike almost any modern leader.
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the latest survey serves as another reminder that Trump’s legacy remains one of the most fiercely debated topics in American politics—and one that continues to divide voters across the country.