Barack Obama and George W. Bush both slammed President Donald Trump during their respective speeches on Thursday, but neither espoused the extreme belief that many Americans have developed over the past year: that he's the worst president in the nation's history.
It's not just lawmakers and celebrities using the superlative to insult Trump—voters believe it, too. A recently released Marist poll found that more than 40 percent of people said they believed Trump will eventually be remembered as one of the worst U.S. presidents (the position at the very bottom is occupied currently by James Buchanan, many historians say).
If you're among them, or if you're just curious, read on to see some of the most high-profile figures taking down Trump:
Bernie Sanders
The Vermont Senator roasted Trump in June at a progressive activism event, calling him "perhaps the worst and most dangerous president in the history of our country."
Rep. Maxine Waters
Waters, a California Democrat who has developed a cult following because she's constantly attacking Trump, told The Breakfast Club radio show in August that Trump was "the worst I've ever seen, the worst I've ever experienced." Waters added: "I think he believes in nothing. I think that he cares about nothing. I think that he's capable of doing outrageous things."
Tom Perez
Perez gave a rousing victory speech when he was chosen to be the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, wondering aloud about how Americans would look back on the Trump era. "They're going to ask the question of all of us: Where were you in 2017 when we had the worst president in the history of the United States? We will be able to say that the Democratic Party led the resistance and made sure this was a one-term president," former Labor Secretary Perez said.
Rep. Adam Schiff
Schiff, a Democrat representing California, alleged that Trump was purposefully trying to wreck the Affordable Care Act on October 13. "Latest reason why President Trump is the worst president in modern history: deliberately undermining people's health care out of spite," he tweeted.
Dan Rather
Legendary news anchor Rather wrote on Facebook in March that Trump had "the worst start to a time in office I have ever seen." He then acknowledged that, in general, William Henry Harrison had the actual worst time taking office: Harrison died a month after inauguration.
Billie Joe Armstrong
After Trump announced his intent to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement back in June, the Green Day frontman posted an angry letter on Instagram. "You will now officially go down as truly the worst president in the history of the United States," Armstrong wrote. "You are unqualified. You are a bigoted half-wit asshole reality star that has made America a joke to the rest of the world."
Will Ferrell as Bush
Ferrell was in character as No. 43 at the Not White House Correspondents' Dinner in April when he slammed Trump. "For the longest time I was considered the worst president of all time. That has changed," Ferrell said in his Bush persona. "I come in second. I'm fine by that, no one remembers second place … I am the Martin Van Buren of the 21st century."
Urban Dictionary
The top definition when you type in "Donald Trump" is "America's worst president. Ever."
Much of Twitter
The topic "is Trump the worst" is hot on social media, as well, especially for these users:
James Buchanan-heretofore viewed as the worst president in U.S. history-must be watching today from the Great Beyond in hopeful expectation.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) August 26, 2017
Trump is the worst president of my lifetime, and that lifetime includes Nixon and GWB. He's historically awful. https://t.co/cWQc0YjvUI
— John Scalzi (@scalzi) September 30, 2017
Looks like you are the worst President ever https://t.co/t8BMHQP7m8
— Tom Colicchio (@tomcolicchio) September 6, 2017
@realDonaldTrump is out of his fucking mind. He's unhinged. He's poison. He WILL go down as the worst president in American history.
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) August 23, 2017
There's one thing this President is good at- he is the best at being the worst.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) August 15, 2017
It's incredible to think about but I believe it's true: we literally elected the worst possible person in America to be President of America https://t.co/sLtzl6zH49
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) July 25, 2017
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.
About the writer
Julia Glum joined IBT Media in October 2014 as a breaking news reporter specializing in youth affairs.
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