Barack Obama is America’s most popular political figure this summer, according to YouGov Ratings — a 61% positive-opinion score, ahead of Bernie Sanders (57%) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (55%). Notably, none of the three currently hold elected office. Donald Trump does not appear in the top 20 at all.
This snapshot reflects data as of July 9, 2026. For continuously updated rankings, see the live Politician Ranking tracker.
What This Ranking Measures
YouGov Ratings continuously surveys the American public on public figures, including politicians. Each score is the share of respondents who report a positive opinion of the person — counted only among people who recognize them in the first place. It measures personal likeability, not job approval or electability.
The Complete Summer 2026 Ranking
All 20 politicians tracked by YouGov Ratings this summer, ranked by positive-opinion score:
| Rank | Politician | Party | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barack Obama | Democratic | 61% |
| 2 | Bernie Sanders | Independent | 57% |
| 3 | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Republican | 55% |
| 4 | Kamala Harris | Democratic | 44% |
| 5 | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | Democratic | 44% |
| 6 | Joe Biden | Democratic | 42% |
| 7 | Mark Kelly | Democratic | 42% |
| 8 | Zohran Mamdani | Democratic | 41% |
| 9 | George W. Bush | Republican | 41% |
| 10 | Tim Walz | Democratic | 39% |
| 11 | Bill Clinton | Democratic | 39% |
| 12 | Hillary Clinton | Democratic | 38% |
| 13 | Madeleine Albright | Democratic | 38% |
| 14 | Elizabeth Warren | Democratic | 37% |
| 15 | Cory Booker | Democratic | 36% |
| 16 | Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. | Independent | 36% |
| 17 | Pete Buttigieg | Democratic | 35% |
| 18 | Gavin Newsom | Democratic | 34% |
| 19 | Charlie Kirk | Republican | 34% |
| 20 | Jasmine Crockett | Democratic | 33% |
Source: YouGov Ratings · July 2026 · as of July 9, 2026.
Reading the Summer 2026 List
The pattern at the top is striking: the three most popular figures — Obama, Sanders, and Schwarzenegger — are not currently seeking or holding partisan executive office. Obama and Schwarzenegger left office years ago; Sanders, while a sitting senator, has spent decades building a brand distinct from party leadership. Meanwhile, sitting officials actively contesting 2026 races or holding the presidency cluster lower down the list, in the high-30s to mid-40s range.
The gap between the top 3 (55–61%) and the rest of the field (33–44%) is wide. No currently sitting elected Republican official cracks the top 10 — the two Republicans who do appear, Schwarzenegger and George W. Bush, are both out of office. That mirrors a broader pattern also visible on the Democratic side, where former officials (Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Albright) consistently outperform those currently in the political fight.
Outlook: What Could Shift by Fall
YouGov Ratings updates continuously, so this order can move by autumn 2026 — a cabinet change, a midterm campaign moment, or renewed media attention on any one figure could reshuffle the list. This article is deliberately frozen as a summer 2026 snapshot and will not be revised. For the current, continuously updated ranking with historical trend charts, see the live Politician Ranking tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most popular politician in America in summer 2026?
Barack Obama, with a 61% positive-opinion score in YouGov Ratings, ahead of Bernie Sanders (57%) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (55%).
Is Donald Trump on the list?
No — Trump does not appear in the top 20 most popular politicians in this summer 2026 snapshot.
Is this a live tracker or a fixed snapshot?
This article is a fixed summer 2026 snapshot that will not be updated. See the live tracker for current data.