Keep Factually independent

Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.

Loading...Goal: 1,000 supporters
Loading...

Fact check: Whos the best us president ever

Checked on September 9, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The majority of analyses from various sources, including historical surveys and presidential rankings, suggest that Abraham Lincoln is consistently ranked as one of the best US presidents, with many sources citing his leadership during the Civil War and the abolition of slavery as key factors [1] [2] [3]. The C-SPAN 2021 Presidential Historians Survey, which evaluates presidents across 10 leadership qualities, ranks Lincoln as the best US president, scoring 897 points and ranking #1 in multiple survey years [1]. Other notable presidents, such as George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt, are also often ranked among the top presidents, representing the nation's preservation, founding, and overcoming economic challenges respectively [2] [1] [3].

  • Key findings from the analyses include:
  • Abraham Lincoln's consistent ranking as one of the best US presidents [1] [2] [3]
  • The importance of leadership qualities, such as public persuasion, crisis leadership, and economic management, in evaluating presidential effectiveness [1] [3]
  • The variation in rankings and opinions among historians and presidential scholars [3] [4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

While the majority of sources agree on Lincoln's ranking, there are alternative viewpoints and missing context that should be considered. For example, the Siena College Research Institute survey ranks Franklin D. Roosevelt as the best president, followed by Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson [4]. Additionally, some sources note that opinions of other Presidents have changed over time, and that there may be variations in rankings depending on the specific criteria used [3]. It is also worth noting that the original statement does not provide a comprehensive ranking of all US Presidents, and that other presidents, such as Donald Trump, have been ranked differently by various sources [5] [1].

  • Alternative viewpoints and missing context include:
  • The variation in rankings and opinions among historians and presidential scholars [3] [4]
  • The importance of considering multiple criteria and sources when evaluating presidential effectiveness [1] [3]
  • The potential for changes in opinions and rankings over time [3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement asks "who's the best US president ever", which may be seen as a subjective and biased question [1] [2] [3]. The statement does not provide any context or criteria for evaluating the "best" president, and may be influenced by personal opinions or biases. Additionally, some sources may have a biased or limited perspective, such as the source that claims Donald Trump is the most influential President of the century [5]. It is essential to consider multiple sources and evaluate the credibility and objectivity of each source to form a well-rounded understanding of the topic [1] [3].

  • Potential misinformation and bias in the original statement include:
  • The subjective and biased nature of the question [1] [2] [3]
  • The lack of context and criteria for evaluating the "best" president [1] [3]
  • The potential for biased or limited perspectives among sources [5] [3]
Want to dive deeper?
Who was the most popular US president based on approval ratings?
Which US president had the most significant impact on the economy?
How do historians rank the US presidents in terms of leadership?
What were the most notable achievements of the top 5 US presidents?
How does the current US president compare to past presidents in terms of policy?