President Donald Trump recently revised his ranking of U.S. presidents, shared on Truth Social. Initially, he placed himself alone at the top, calling himself “The Greatest,” above renowned figures like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The updated chart still highlights Trump at the top tier but now includes several additional former presidents previously absent. Newly added are Ronald Reagan, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. The change mimics a well-known ranking by historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr. from 1948.
Key Changes in Trump’s Revised Rankings
The modified version, posted two weeks after the original, features significant changes.
Reagan, a conservative icon, joins Eisenhower in the “Near Great” category. Kennedy and Nixon are now classified as “Average.” Ford and George H.W. Bush are rated “Below Average,” alongside Lyndon B. Johnson. Herbert Hoover, initially “Average,” has moved to the “Failures” category with George W. Bush now also labeled a failure.
Despite these alterations, Trump remains at the top as “The Greatest,” surpassing Lincoln, Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, and Andrew Jackson, who are listed as “Great.”
The Exclusion of Reagan Explained
Reagan’s initial absence drew attention due to his status as a leading figure for conservatives. Comparisons between Trump and Reagan often occur concerning Republican Party leadership. Recent polls even suggest Trump surpasses Reagan as the GOP’s most admired president. The revised chart now elevates Reagan to “Near Great,” below Trump’s exclusive top rank.
Presidents Omitted from the List
Trump’s revised chart includes 43 presidents, excluding several notable figures. Not listed is William Henry Harrison, who served only 31 days in 1841 before dying, marking the shortest U.S. presidency. Chester A. Arthur’s predecessor, James Garfield, who was assassinated after less than a year, is also absent.
Total U.S. Presidencies
The U.S. has had 45 individuals serve as president, from Washington to Trump. Trump, as the 45th and 47th president, parallels Grover Cleveland, who served two nonconsecutive terms. Hence, 47 presidencies have been recorded across 45 unique presidents.
Trump’s current ranking includes most past presidents, categorizing them from “Great” to “Failures,” while he maintains his position as the sole occupant of “The Greatest.”
Contrast with Historians’ Rankings
Trump’s list contrasts with historians’ opinions. The 2024 Presidential Greatness Project survey ranked Lincoln as the greatest, followed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Jefferson. Trump, conversely, puts himself at the top, yet was ranked last by historians.
Disputed figures also rise in Trump’s chart; Woodrow Wilson remains “Great” despite historical criticism. At the opposite end, Biden, Obama, Ulysses S. Grant, Warren Harding, Carter, and Hoover are deemed “Failures.”
The updated chart reflects Trump’s perspective on American presidential history while highlighting his unique influence in today’s Republican Party, where many GOP members view him more favorably than traditionally esteemed Republican presidents.