In December 2020, Fox News polled Americans toward the end of Trump's first term about how history will look back on Trump's years in the White House.
They asked:
How do you think history will remember Trump’s presidency? Will he be remembered as: SCALE: 1. One of the country’s greatest presidents 2. An above average president 3. An average president 4. A below average president 5. One of the country’s worst presidents 6. (Don’t know)
The results were devastating for the former president, finding that while 22% felt Trump would be remembered as one of the U.S.' "greatest" presidents, a full 42% declared Trump "one of the worst."
Perhaps this should come as little surprise, since Trump is regularly viewed by historians as among the worst presidents in history, including in Siena's June 2022 survey, which ranked Trump 43rd out of 45.
Inspired by the Fox News poll result, George Takei wanted to know a bit more about how Trump will be remembered, and so asked his Twitter following:
"In a single word, how do you think history will look back on Donald's disastrous presidency?"
\u201cIn a single word, how do you think history will look back on Donald's disastrous presidency?\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
And the responses were...blunt.
\u201c@IamAmericasidea @GeorgeTakei TRAITOR\u2026\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Travesty\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Treasonous\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Disgraceful.\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
Others were a bit kinder.
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Unprecedented\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Incompetent.\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Embarrassed\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Sad\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
Some didn't really understand the assignment.
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Not so much a word as a reaction but: \ud83e\udd2e\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei \ud83d\udca9\u26c8\ufe0f\nor\n\ud83e\udd21\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
And for many just one word would not suffice.
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Worst!\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei The beginning of the end\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei The most corrupt criminal ever to be in a national office\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei @jasonllevin A big mistake.\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
Trump did have a few defenders.
\u201c@GeorgeTakei democracy.\n\nand why it's not always so good when someone like Trump can be elected.\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei Good\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
\u201c@GeorgeTakei How about a single gif?\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
But for the most part, perhaps this gif sums up the prevailing sentiment:
\u201c@GeorgeTakei\u201d— George Takei (@George Takei) 1663169974
Judge Judy Eye Roll GIF
@elonmusk/X
Loop Home GIF by Homepoet.de
Solar Energy GIF by Nexamp
Shave Shaving GIF by Shawn Mendes
The Sandlot Wow GIF