A new national survey finds most Republicans now admire President Trump more than any other U.S. president, eclipsing Reagan and Lincoln by wide margins.
Story Highlights
- CNN/SSRS finds 53% of Republicans name President Trump as the president they admire most.
- Ronald Reagan trails at 18%, with Abraham Lincoln at 8% among Republicans.
- The question was open-ended, favoring recent leaders who shape current party identity.
- Results signal Trump’s continued dominance inside the Republican Party coalition.
Poll Result: Trump Tops Republican Admiration Rankings
CNN reported that in an open-ended question asking Americans which president they admire most, a majority of Republicans named President Trump. Fifty-three percent of Republican respondents chose Trump, while 18 percent named Ronald Reagan and 8 percent picked Abraham Lincoln. The finding shows a strong lead, with Trump earning nearly three times Reagan’s share. The same survey placed Trump second overall among all Americans on the admiration question, behind Barack Obama, who led at 30 percent.
The survey used an open-ended design, which means respondents were not shown a list. Voters supplied names on their own. That style tends to elevate recent leaders who are top of mind and tied to current issues. Republicans have rallied around Trump for years, and that brand strength shows in spontaneous answers. Reagan and Lincoln remain respected symbols on the right, but the numbers show the party’s center of gravity rests with Trump now.
What the Numbers Mean for Today’s Republican Party
The large gap over Reagan and Lincoln underscores Trump’s grip on the party message, priorities, and base enthusiasm. Fundraising pitches, primary endorsements, and policy pushes benefit when voters see one figure as the clear standard-bearer. Conservative voters frustrated with open borders, runaway spending, and cultural overreach want fighters who will push back. The poll suggests many Republicans see Trump as that fighter today, not just a past leader with a historic record.
Past polling has shown results can shift by how a question is asked. Some list-based or head-to-head formats have produced tighter splits between Trump and past Republican icons. Yet the CNN/SSRS open-ended question captures gut-level admiration in the moment. That measure is valuable for judging energy and identity. It reflects who Republicans trust to defend the Constitution, stand up for free speech, and resist policies that drive higher prices and weaken families.
Context: Broader Public Views and Party Identity
The same CNN/SSRS reporting found that across all Americans, Obama leads the admiration question at 30 percent, with Trump at 19 percent and Reagan and Lincoln at 9 percent each. That split is not surprising. National opinion has long been polarized. Inside the Republican Party, the picture looks very different: Trump dominates. This contrast reminds readers that partisan identity often shapes how people rate leaders, past and present.
For conservatives, the takeaway is simple. The base is aligning behind a living, active leader who is pushing today’s fights: border security, energy independence, fair trade, and a government that serves families, not bureaucrats. Reagan’s legacy still matters. Lincoln’s courage still inspires. But this poll shows who most Republicans believe is carrying that torch right now. The party’s voters want results, and they believe Trump will deliver them.
