Franklin Dean
Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed the longest honeymoon period with the press of any U.S. president. The honeymoon period is a period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader, usually an incoming president, in which both Congress and news outlets tend to go easy on them as they settle into office. While the honeymoon period for presidents is getting shorter and shorter, with President Trump facing conflict and criticism from the moment he stepped into office, FDR's positive relationship with the press endured throughout his time in office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| President with the longest honeymoon period with the press | Franklin Roosevelt |
| Reason for the longest honeymoon period | N/A |
| Average honeymoon period for presidents in the 20th century | Seven months |
| Average honeymoon period for presidents earlier in American history | 26 months |
| President with a second honeymoon period | Barack Obama |
| President with no honeymoon period | Donald Trump |
| President with a unique honeymoon period | Ronald Reagan |
| President with a honeymoon period lasting his entire first term | Eisenhower |
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What You'll Learn
- Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed the longest honeymoon period with the press
- Honeymoon periods have shortened from 26 months to seven months
- Trump's honeymoon period was impacted by polarization and protests
- Obama enjoyed a second honeymoon period after his re-election
- Two-term presidents may benefit from two honeymoon periods
Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed the longest honeymoon period with the press
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, enjoyed a lengthy honeymoon period with the press. This was due in part to his ability to keep his declining physical health hidden from the public eye, including his use of a wheelchair. Roosevelt went to great lengths to manage his public image, even learning to walk short distances with braces and a cane to maintain the illusion of health and vigour. The press cooperated with this image management, and as a result, Roosevelt enjoyed a favourable relationship with the media during the early years of his presidency.
Roosevelt's presidency, from 1933 until his death in 1945, was marked by significant historical events, including the Great Depression and World War II. Despite these challenges, he is remembered as a great president who lifted the nation out of its recession and into a prosperous future. Roosevelt's commitment to the working class and the unemployed made him a favourite among blue-collar workers, labour unions, and ethnic minorities.
Roosevelt's time in office also saw the rapid expansion of government programs, which redefined the role of the government in the United States. His advocacy for government social programs left a lasting impact on liberalism for generations to come. Roosevelt's wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, also played a significant role in shaping his public image. She was a powerful and widely admired woman who regularly made public appearances on her husband's behalf and greatly influenced the role of the first lady.
In addition to managing his public image, Roosevelt also pioneered the use of "fireside chats," where he directly addressed his constituents via radio. These chats allowed him to pressure the New York State Legislature to advance his agenda and further solidified his positive relationship with the public. Roosevelt's ability to connect with the American people, combined with his effective image management, contributed to his long honeymoon period with the press.
Overall, Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency was characterised by his commitment to the American people and his ability to navigate significant historical challenges. His effective leadership and impact on the nation's future earned him a favourable reputation, both during his time in office and in historical retrospect.
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Honeymoon periods have shortened from 26 months to seven months
Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed the longest honeymoon period with the press of any president in US history. However, honeymoon periods for presidents have shortened over time. While presidents from Harry Truman to Richard Nixon enjoyed an average of 26 months of positive approval ratings after taking office, this period has shrunk to an average of seven months for presidents from Gerald Ford to George W. Bush.
The term "honeymoon period" refers to a period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader, usually an incoming president. During this time, both Congress and news outlets tend to give presidents a break at the start of their first terms, allowing them to ease into the office. This period is often the ideal time for a president to pass legislation.
Several factors can influence the length of a president's honeymoon period. For example, a president who wins an election without winning the popular vote may start at a disadvantage, as was the case with Donald Trump, who also faced gridlock in Congress due to polarization in the country. Protests, polls, and policy decisions can also impact a president's honeymoon period, as seen with Trump's imposition of tariffs, which sparked growing dissent.
Some presidents may experience a second honeymoon period after re-election or a bounce in popularity later in their term. For example, Barack Obama experienced an improved approval rating in his second term after a middling period during his first. Additionally, two-term presidents may benefit from a boost in popularity after being elected to a second term.
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Trump's honeymoon period was impacted by polarization and protests
While there is no universally accepted definition of a "honeymoon period", it is generally understood to be a window after a president's inauguration during which they enjoy elevated approval ratings. During this time, presidents typically find it easier to get legislation passed and appointments approved due to their popularity and support in Congress. However, polarization and protests significantly impacted former President Donald Trump's honeymoon period, with his approval ratings sliding early on in his tenure.
Trump's honeymoon period was marked by growing dissent and protests. Over a single weekend, there were about 1,400 protests against the Trump administration across all 50 states. These demonstrations, coupled with declining poll numbers, indicated that support for the president was diminishing swiftly. Trump's aggressive start to his second term, which included issuing dozens of executive orders, pausing US foreign aid, declaring an emergency at the southern border, and seeking to overturn birthright citizenship, contributed to a marked decline in his approval ratings.
Trump's actions during his honeymoon period produced contradictory, harmful, and often opposite results to what he claimed he wanted. For example, his rash actions on tariffs led to boomerang effects, with foreign retaliation causing stock market crashes and inflation fears. This was in direct contrast to his promises of making America great again. Additionally, his threats to invade Canada sparked outrage, with retaliatory tariffs and a revival of the Canadian Liberal Party.
The polarization of the political climate during Trump's honeymoon period cannot be understated. His actions, such as bypassing standard procedures and imposing tariffs unilaterally, caused concern even among members of his own party. While some Republican lawmakers and party leaders failed to object meaningfully to his actions, others joined Senate resolutions to nullify tariffs on Canada, demonstrating a divide within the GOP.
Trump's approval ratings during his honeymoon period slid to the point that he became less popular than his predecessor, Joe Biden, at a comparable stage. Political scientists and experts noted that his approval ratings had dropped several points, raising the question of whether his honeymoon period had ended prematurely. By some definitions, Trump never truly enjoyed a honeymoon period, as his approval ratings hovered around 50% when he took office, and there was no significant rise before the drop.
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Obama enjoyed a second honeymoon period after his re-election
While all incoming presidents tend to be popular, enjoying what is commonly known as a "honeymoon period" with the press, some two-term presidents may benefit from a second honeymoon period after being re-elected. Barack Obama is one such president, who enjoyed a second honeymoon period after his re-election.
Obama's initial approval rating was 68%, higher than most other recent presidents at the beginning of their terms. He averaged 63% in his first quarter in office and maintained a rating above 60% for most of his second quarter. By January 2025, Obama's approval rating had hovered around 60%, which is above the historical average of 55%. This suggests that Obama was still in the honeymoon phase of his presidency, which is impressive given the challenging economic and international conditions he faced upon taking office.
The Washington Post noted that Obama enjoyed a second honeymoon period after his re-election victory in November of the previous year. National polls showed his job approval rating climbing from the middle range where it had been for much of 2010 and 2011. Obama's approval rating was at 52% while his disapproval rating was at 43%, marking a significant improvement over the previous years.
It is worth noting that the length of presidential honeymoon periods has been shrinking. From Harry Truman to Richard Nixon, presidents spent an average of 26 months above the historical average of 55% presidential job approval. In contrast, presidents from Gerald Ford to George W. Bush averaged only seven months above this benchmark. This trend suggests that Obama's ability to maintain a high approval rating and enjoy a second honeymoon period is even more remarkable given the shorter duration of modern honeymoon periods.
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Two-term presidents may benefit from two honeymoon periods
Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed the longest honeymoon period with the press of any president in US history. However, it is worth noting that two-term presidents may benefit from two honeymoon periods. For instance, President Barack Obama experienced a second political honeymoon after his re-election victory, with his approval ratings climbing from the middle range where they had been for most of 2010 and 2011. Similarly, President Ronald Reagan's approval ratings shot up after he survived an assassination attempt early in his first term, though this bounce in popularity faded fairly quickly.
The honeymoon period is a period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader, usually an incoming president, but it can also refer to other high-ranking officials. Traditionally, both Congress and news outlets give presidents a break at the start of their first terms, allowing them to ease into the office. This period of elevated approval ratings is ideal for passing legislation, as Congress is likely to respect the president's mandate during these first few months.
While the honeymoon period for presidents has historically lasted around 26 months, it has been shrinking in more recent times. Presidents from Harry Truman through Richard Nixon spent an average of 26 months above the historical average 55% presidential job approval rating after taking office. In contrast, presidents from Gerald Ford to George W. Bush spent only about seven months above this norm.
Several factors can influence the length and intensity of a president's honeymoon period. For example, President Eisenhower's popularity lasted his entire first term, which helped him secure a landslide reelection victory in 1956. On the other hand, President Trump did not experience a honeymoon period at all, facing conflict and criticism from the start of his tenure. This may have been due to the highly polarised political climate during his administration and the fact that he won the electoral vote but lost the popular vote, putting him at a disadvantage from the outset.
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Frequently asked questions
Franklin Roosevelt enjoyed the longest honeymoon period with the press.
A “honeymoon period” is a period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader. Traditionally, both Congress and news outlets give presidents a bit of a break at the start of their first terms, so that they can ease into office.
By the last few decades of the 20th century, the typical honeymoon period had shrunk to seven months, down from an average of 26 months earlier in American history.
