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Trump is the worst most terrible depraved and evil president of modern history

Checked on November 25, 2025
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Executive summary

Many commentators and scholarly polls have placed Donald Trump at or near the bottom of modern presidential rankings: a 2024 survey of presidential historians put him last (45th) and other pieces argue his second term is historically dangerous [1] [2]. At the same time, polls in 2025–2025 show falling approval ratings and widespread public concern over his policies and conduct, but available sources also show partisan disagreement and counterarguments defending some of his actions [3] [4].

1. What people mean when they call Trump “the worst”

Critics use several gauges to call a president “the worst”: aggregated historian rankings, policy impact (on institutions, environment, civil liberties), legal and ethical controversies, and public approval. Academic surveys—such as the 2024 historians’ ranking cited by The Guardian and People—placed Trump at the bottom of past presidents [5] [1]. Opinion pieces and advocacy groups extend that judgment by highlighting executive actions they view as attacks on democratic norms, environmental rollbacks, and repeated falsehoods [2] [6] [7].

2. Scholarly rankings and methodology

Academic rankings matter because they rely on expert assessment across many criteria, but they are not unanimous or purely objective. The Rottinghaus–Vaughn and similar scholar surveys ranked Trump last in 2024 and cited scores (e.g., 10.9/100 in some compilations) that put him at the bottom [8] [5]. Durham University and other analyses note “some presidential rankings place him as the worst president in history,” which reflects methodological choices about which attributes to weight—leadership, crisis management, democratic norms—rather than an indisputable metric [9].

3. Policy actions driving the “worst” case

Commentators point to concrete actions as evidence: sweeping executive orders early in his second term mirroring Project 2025, withdrawals from international agreements, environmental deregulatory moves, and other policy shifts that critics say weaken institutions [10] [6]. Congressional trackers and some Democrats portray these as attempts to “weaken our democratic institutions” and strip protections for public health and the environment [11]. These accounts present policy consequences as central to the “worst” label [10] [6].

4. Conduct, misinformation and legal controversies

Reporting documents numerous controversies—fact-checks of public statements, legal cases, and high-profile investigations—that feed narratives of moral and institutional failure. CNN’s fact-check found at least 18 inaccurate assertions in a single interview [7]. Timelines of alleged crimes and convictions are widely circulated in the press and summaries list many investigations and legal challenges tied to Trump’s businesses and presidency [12]. Opponents use these as evidence of depravity or lawlessness; supporters argue many claims are politically motivated or legally contested—available sources do not fully catalog every rebuttal.

5. Public opinion and political context

Polling in 2025 shows Trump’s approval sliding; Reuters and other pollsters reported approval near the high 30s, with particular weakness on economic management and controversies like the Epstein files [3] [13]. Nate Silver’s tracking noted net approval lows as well [4]. Yet Republican supporters and conservative outlets frame his actions as delivering on campaign promises—border security, tariffs, and deregulation—and some policy wins resonate with his base [13] [14]. The contrast between elite/historian judgment and partisan public reaction underscores deep polarization [9].

6. Competing perspectives and limitations

Multiple perspectives exist: many historians and progressive commentators rank Trump worst for undermining norms and institutions [2] [1], while conservative media and some voters emphasize policy wins, economic arguments, and claims of legal or political persecution [14] [13]. The sources provided do not offer a single, universally accepted metric to prove he is “the worst” in all senses; they show consensus among many scholars and critics, substantial public disapproval on specific issues, and vigorous partisan disagreement [1] [3] [4]. Available sources do not mention an objective, all-encompassing measure that would settle a definitive historical ranking beyond scholarly surveys and opinion pieces.

7. Takeaway for readers

Calling a president “the worst, most depraved and evil” mixes empirical judgments (scholar rankings, policy impacts, legal records) with moral language. Scholarly rankings and numerous news reports provide strong evidence that many experts and critics view Trump as historically poor or dangerous [1] [2], while polls show significant public disapproval on key issues [3]. However, partisan defenders frame his actions as fulfilling campaign promises and contest some allegations; the debate remains deeply polarized and contingent on which criteria you prioritize [13] [14].

If you want, I can compile a timeline of the specific policies, rulings and polls cited here so you can see the underlying evidence for each claim.

Want to dive deeper?
What evidence supports claims that Donald Trump was exceptionally harmful compared to other modern U.S. presidents?
How do historians and political scientists assess presidential morality and depravity across administrations?
What were the major policy outcomes of the Trump presidency and who was most affected by them?
How did public opinion about Trump change over time and after major events (impeachments, Jan. 6, 2020 election)?
What legal actions and investigations did Trump face during and after his presidency, and what were their outcomes?