Written By: Sarah Norman
Sarah NormanWho’s The Best and Worst President? Expert Historians Rank Them

According to experts and professional historians, a survey published by CSPAN ranked the best and worst US presidents. The ranking quickly sparked outrage for its perceived shortcomings and subjectivity. Undoubtedly, many Americans disagree with the ranking. Americans have been encouraged to share their thoughts and, most importantly, exercise their right to vote in order for their voices to be heard. In this slideshow, we explore the best and worst US presidents, according to the experts.Getty Images
Ranked #1: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is best known for leading the country during the Civil War and for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in the Confederate states would be free.Getty Images
Ranked #2 Best: George Washington: First President of the United States; led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War and is known as the “Father of His Country.”Getty Images
Ranked #3 Best: Franklin D. Roosevelt: 32nd President of the U.S.; served four terms and led the country through the Great Depression and World War II.Getty Images
Ranked #4 Best: Theodore Roosevelt: 26th President of the U.S.; known for his progressive reforms, conservation efforts, and role in negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War.Getty Images
Ranked #5 Best: Dwight D. Eisenhower: 34th President of the U.S.; a five-star general in World War II who oversaw the Allied invasion of Europe and later focused on infrastructure and international diplomacy.Getty Images
Ranked #6 Best: Harry S. Truman: 33rd President of the U.S.; succeeded FDR and made critical decisions during the final stages of World War II, including the use of atomic bombs on Japan.Getty Images
Ranked #7 Best: Thomas Jefferson: 3rd President of the U.S.; principal author of the Declaration of Independence and a key figure in early American history.Getty Images
Ranked #8 Best: John F. Kennedy: 35th President of the U.S.; known for his inspirational speeches, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the early stages of the Space Race.Getty Images
Ranked #9 Best: Ronald Reagan: 40th President of the U.S.; former actor and governor of California, known for conservative policies, economic reforms, and his role in ending the Cold War.Getty Images
Ranked #10 Best: Barack Obama: 44th President of the U.S.; first African American president, known for his signature healthcare reform, economic recovery efforts, and emphasis on social justice.Getty Images
Ranked #1 Worst: James Buchanan: 15th President of the U.S.; his presidency is often criticized for its inability to address the issues leading up to the Civil War, including the tension over slavery.Getty Images
Ranked #2 Worst: Andrew Johnson: 17th President of the U.S.; succeeded Abraham Lincoln and is noted for his contentious Reconstruction policies and impeachment by the House of Representatives.Getty Images
Ranked #3 Worst: Franklin Pierce: 14th President of the U.S.; known for his attempts to address sectional conflicts over slavery, which ultimately failed to prevent the Civil War.Getty Images
Ranked #4 Worst: Donald J. Trump: 45th President of the U.S.; a businessman and television personality who focused on deregulation, tax reform, and an “America First” policy agenda.Getty Images

Presidential debates have played a crucial role in the electoral process of the United States for decades. Tens of millions of Americans tune in to watch the debates every election cycle, and a candidate’s success or failure can often change the tide of their campaign. Here, we’re looking at the most-watched debates of all time.

The first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in September of 2016 drew an incredible 84 million viewers. This solidified the debate’s status as the most-watched in U.S. history.

The debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan on October 28, 1980, held the record for the largest television audience prior to that of Trump and Clinton, attracting 80.6 million viewers.

In September of 2020, the debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden garnered 73.1 million viewers, ultimately leading to a Biden victory.

The second presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in October of 2016 captivated an audience of 71.6 million. The staggering views were largely fueled by the intense rivalry between Trump and Clinton at the time.

The October 1992 debate featuring George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Ross Perot attracted 69.9 million viewers.

The debate between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter on September 23, 1976, drew 69.7 million viewers.

The October 13, 1988, debate between Michael Dukakis and George H. W. Bush captured 67.3 million viewers, leading to Bush’s victory the following month.

Lastly, the debate on October 7, 1984, between Walter Mondale and Ronald Reagan also reached an audience of 67.3 million. Americans were highly engaged with the political ideologies of both Reagan and Mondale throughout the course of their campaigns.