The current and former presidents and their first ladies are the most admired people in the US, according to a new Gallup poll said CNN. Barack Obama and Donald Trump tied this year as the most admired man while it is Obama’s 12th time in the top spot versus the first for President Trump.
Eighteen percent of U.S. adults nominated Trump when asked which man “living today in any part of the world” they admired most, while another 18 percent identified the most recent Democratic president.
President Trump’s popularity has grown tremendously this year allowing him to tie Barack Obama as the most admired man, but not to end Obama’s streak of 12 first-place finishes. The results reflect the significant party divide in America, with Republicans overwhelmingly naming Trump and Democrats Obama.
President Trump captured the support of 2 percent of Democrats and 10 percent of independents, while Obama garnered 3 percent support from GOP respondents and 12 percent from independents.
Last year, 13 percent of Americans chose Trump as the most admired man, and 14 percent picked him in 2017, the first year of his presidency. He placed second to Obama in both surveys.
Meanwhile, Michelle Obama has been named as the most admired woman in the past two years after 25 years that saw Hillary Clinton finish first 22 times. In fact, Obama has had stronger finishes in the past two years than during her eight years as the first lady, when no more than 8% of Americans named her.
Jimmy Carter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Pope Francis, Sen. Bernie Sanders, House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, the Dalai Lama, and billionaire investor Warren Buffet rounded out the top 10.