Bernie Sanders Tops U.S. Politicians in Favorability, Pope Leo XIV and Zelensky Lead Global Figures
A new Gallup poll released on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, has identified Vermont’s Independent Senator Bernie Sanders as the most likable American politician, with Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leading the broader list of global newsmakers for 2025.
Sanders Leads American Politicians
The 83-year-old two-time former presidential candidate and self-described democratic socialist earned a 49 percent favorable rating, with 38 percent viewing him unfavorably, giving him an 11-point net favorability advantage—the widest among American politicians surveyed. Sanders’ consistent appeal across decades continues to resonate, particularly among those drawn to his progressive platform.
Ocasio-Cortez Follows, Despite Mixed Ratings
In second place among U.S. politicians is Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a prominent figure in the democratic socialist movement. She secured a 34 percent favorable rating, but 38 percent viewed her unfavorably, resulting in a 4-point deficit. Notably, 28 percent of respondents had no opinion of the congresswoman, suggesting she remains an undefined figure for a significant portion of the public.
Trump Allies Face Challenges
The poll, conducted from July 7 to July 21, 2025, also evaluated figures in President Donald Trump’s orbit. Vice President JD Vance outperformed Trump himself, with 38 percent viewing him favorably and 49 percent unfavorably, compared to Trump’s 41 percent favorable and 57 percent unfavorable ratings. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services and a former independent presidential candidate in 2024, emerged as the most popular figure in Trump’s circle, with 42 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable ratings, yielding a net negative of 5 points.
Global Figures: Pope and Zelensky Shine
Globally, Pope Leo XIV topped the list with a 57 percent favorable rating and only 11 percent unfavorable, securing the highest net favorability. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy followed closely, with 52 percent viewing him favorably and 34 percent unfavorably, reflecting his continued international prominence amid ongoing global conflicts.
Musk and Netanyahu Struggle
At the bottom of the favorability rankings were Tesla CEO and former Trump ally Elon Musk and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Musk’s ratings were particularly stark, with only 39 percent viewing him favorably and a significantly higher percentage expressing unfavorable views. His favorability has plummeted since January 2025, when he held a 24 percent favorable rating. This decline may explain his recent pivot away from political engagement.
Declines for Rubio and Kennedy
Other figures in Trump’s circle also saw significant drops in favorability since January. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) went from 41 percent favorable to 47 percent unfavorable, a 24-point swing in net favorability. Similarly, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s favorability fell from 46 percent in January to 47 percent unfavorable in July.
Methodology
The Gallup poll, conducted over two weeks in July 2025, surveyed a representative sample of U.S. adults to assess favorability toward prominent newsmakers and politicians. The results highlight a polarized public, with global figures like Pope Leo XIV and Zelenskyy commanding broad appeal, while domestic political figures face more divided opinions.
