Biden’s First Month vs. Trump’s: Here Are the Major Numbers To Know

As recent history shows, a lot can change in a month.

By Andrew Lisa Mar 14, 2021 Understanding the Economy

In his first month in office, President Donald Trump was riding high after scoring the most shocking upset in modern political history. The economy was roaring, the stock market was soaring and Trump’s Republican party controlled both chambers of Congress. As a housewarming gift, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell handed the newly minted president a pilfered Supreme Court vacancy to fill.

Find Out: How Much Is Former President Donald Trump Worth?

By contrast, during his first month in office, President Joe Biden led the nation in mourning a half-million COVID-19 deaths. He conducted the vigil in a newly militarized Washington, D.C., which was still cordoned off with concertina wire after an insurrectionist mob of the outgoing president’s supporters graduated from protesters to domestic terrorists on Jan. 6.

Did You Know: How Much Is President Joe Biden Worth?

In short, a lot can happen in a month — especially if you’re the president. Here’s how the first 30 days panned out for Biden compared to the same period of time in 2016 for his predecessor Trump.

Last updated: March 1, 2021

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Executive Orders Signed

Donald J. Trump: 12
Joseph R. Biden: 31

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Dow Jones Composite Closing on First Day of Presidency

Donald J. Trump: $19,827.25
Joseph R. Biden: $31,188.38

See: All the Ways the Biden Family Has Made Money Over the Past 20 Years

Dow Jones Composite Closing a Month Into Presidency

Donald J. Trump: $20,624.05
Joseph R. Biden: $31,494.32

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Percent Change in Dow Jones Composite

Donald J. Trump: 4.02%
Joseph R. Biden: 0.98%

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Approval Rating at Start of Term

Donald J. Trump: 44.30%
Joseph R. Biden: 55.50%

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Disapproval Rating at Start of Term

Donald J. Trump: 44.20%
Joseph R. Biden: 36%

See: Experts Predict What the Economy Will Look Like at the End of 2021

Net Approval/Disapproval at Start of Term

Donald J. Trump: .10 approve
Joseph R. Biden: 19.5 approve

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Approval Rating a Month Later

Donald J. Trump: 44.60%
Joseph R. Biden: 54.40%

More: Biden’s Free College Proposal Could Add $160 Billion to Economy

Change in Approval Rating After a Month

Donald J. Trump: 0.30%
Joseph R. Biden: -1.10%

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Disapproval Rating a Month Later

Donald J. Trump: 50.40%
Joseph R. Biden: 39.40%

Read: Americans’ Savings Drop to Lowest Point in Years

Change in Disapproval Rating After a Month

Donald J. Trump: 6.20%
Joseph R. Biden: 3.40%

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About the Author

Andrew Lisa

Andrew Lisa has been writing professionally since 2001. An award-winning writer, Andrew was formerly one of the youngest nationally distributed columnists for the largest newspaper syndicate in the country, the Gannett News Service. He worked as the business section editor for amNewYork, the most widely distributed newspaper in Manhattan, and worked as a copy editor for TheStreet.com, a financial publication in the heart of Wall Street's investment community in New York City.