A war of words between President Donald Trump and his immediate predecessor is escalating after Barack Obama tore into U.S. leadership with veiled jabs at the administration.
Trump’s decision to lean in to the battle has elevated Obama’s presence in the national conversation as his former vice president, Joe Biden, claims the Democratic nomination for this fall’s presidential contest. In doing so, Trump is pitting himself against a man whose popularity exceeds his own.
Obama left the White House with a 59 percent job approval rating, which rose to 63 percent one year later, according to Gallup. By contrast, Trump’s approval rating has averaged in the low-to-mid 40s for most of his presidency. Americans rated Obama the best president of their lifetimes in a June 2018 Pew Research Center poll — he landed 21 points ahead of Trump among first preferences. CONT.
Sahil Kapur, NBC News
Presidential ratings: Donald Trump | Barack Obama
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