Former President Donald Trump recently shared a provocative graphic on social media, suggesting that Jimmy Carter is among five U.S. presidents who have “broken” the nation. This assertion continues Trump’s ongoing critique of Carter, an 80-year-old former leader, who is often remembered for his humanitarian efforts and longevity.
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The post, shared on Truth Social, juxtaposed a selection of presidents deemed to have “built” America against those who are accused of weakening it. In Trump’s view, he, along with historical figures such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Ronald Reagan, is credited with having constructed a stronger nation. Each president’s face in the graphic included a single descriptor, with Washington highlighted as the “foundation,” Lincoln for “union,” Jefferson as “liberty,” Reagan for “strength,” and Trump labelled “America First.”
In stark contrast, the graphic denoted other presidents as responsible for the country’s decline. Among those listed were James Buchanan, Woodrow Wilson, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, with descriptors tagging Buchanan as a “failure,” Wilson as “bureaucracy,” Obama as representing “division,” Carter marked by “weakness,” and Biden linked to a “decline” in American stature.
Trump’s remarks about Carter have been numerous over the years. During an event marking Carter’s upcoming centenary in October 2024, Trump used the occasion to mock the former president, remarking, “Jimmy Carter is the happiest man because Jimmy Carter is considered a brilliant president by comparison.” This remark was accompanied by his characterisation of Biden as potentially the worst president in American history.
Following Carter’s passing on December 29, 2024, Trump publicly praised him, portraying a more respectful tone in tribute to their shared experience as former presidents. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed, “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
Carter’s death initiated a customary 30-day mourning period, marked by the American flag at half-staff across federal buildings and naval vessels, as stipulated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. However, Trump, upon his own inauguration on January 28, 2025, commented on the flag protocol, stating that “nobody” wished to see the flags lowered during his inauguration, leading to subsequent controversy. House Speaker Mike Johnson later announced the flags would be flown at full-staff on the day of Trump’s swearing-in.
In an earlier reflection on Carter’s presidency, Trump seemed to suggest that Biden’s administration had exceeded Carter’s in terms of negative impact, stating in April 2025, “Jimmy Carter died a happy man… because he wasn’t the worst.” Trump’s assertion placed Biden in that dubious position.
In addition to his controversial assessment of Carter, Trump shared another post ranking U.S. presidents. In this separate assessment, he positioned himself as “the greatest” president, with historical figures such as Lincoln, Washington, and Franklin D. Roosevelt classified merely as “great.” Other presidents were arranged in categories ranging from “near great,” featuring figures like Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt, to “average,” which included presidents like Bill Clinton and John Quincy Adams. Those deemed “below average” encompassed Calvin Coolidge and Millard Fillmore, while notably, Carter, Obama, and Biden found their place among the “failures.”
This ranking has sparked renewed discussions about Trump’s views on past presidents, as well as the broader political landscape in the U.S. The polarising nature of Trump’s statements and actions continues to resonate within American political discourse, raising questions about how history will ultimately judge each leader’s legacy.
As political debates unfold, the reactions to Trump’s bold claims over his predecessors may serve to highlight the complexities of how presidents are perceived both during and after their terms.