President Donald Trump was the most frequently named among Americans asked which man they admired most in 2020 for a recent poll.
Of 1,018 U.S. adults asked by Gallup what living man they admire most, 18 percent responded with the commander-in-chief.
Trump ranked above his predecessor Barack Obama, 15 percent, and President-elect Joe Biden, 6 percent. In a year where his work grew to heightened prominence amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 3 percent opted for Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Among Republican respondents, 48 percent opted for Trump. Obama was the top choice for Democrats at 32 percent. Just more than one in ten, 13 percent, of Democrats opted for Biden. Trump and Obama tied for top spot among men in 2019, in Gallup's polling last year. Trump has finished in the top ten on ten occasions, compared to Obama's 15.
Trump's standing in the most admired rankings comes despite Gallup polling from the same time frame putting his approval rating at 39 percent with a majority of those asked, 57 percent, disapproving of the job he is doing as president. The approval rating of Biden's transition is 65 percent in the same timeframe, despite him being below Trump in the admiration scale.
Among most admired women, former first lady Michelle Obama came out on top with 10 percent of respondents opting for her. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was selected by 6 percent and first lady Melania Trump 4 percent.
"Past, present and future White House occupants, whether presidents or first ladies, have figured prominently when Gallup has asked Americans to name the man and woman they admire most," analysis of the polling from Gallup states.
"As such, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden are likely to remain strong contenders for the most admired man title in the coming years."
The polling was conducted December 1 to 17, after Election Day on November 3.
Trump's success comes despite his election defeat to Biden and his continued push against the outcome, which has thus far failed.
The president continues to claim fraud and irregularities facilitated Biden's success, however there has been no evidence of this on a scale that would alter the election outcome.
Congress is due to count the Electoral College votes on January 6. There has been discussion of objections to the results, though this would be unlikely to stand up with votes in each chamber.
Newsweek has contacted the Trump campaign for comment on the president's ranking.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
