A majority of military veterans have stated that President Donald Trump is a stronger commander in chief than most recent U.S. presidents, according to a Rasmussen Reports survey.
The poll revealed that while the broader electorate remains divided on this issue, those with firsthand military experience are significantly more supportive of Trump’s leadership approach. Among current or former service members, 52% indicated Trump is a stronger commander in chief compared to recent presidents.
Overall, 43% of likely U.S. voters rated Trump as stronger in the role, while 44% found him weaker and 8% deemed his leadership comparable. These figures contrast sharply with former President Joe Biden, who previously received significantly lower ratings on military leadership from veterans in Rasmussen surveys.
The results underscore a consistent pattern: Americans with military backgrounds tend to view Trump’s approach to national defense more favorably than other recent presidents. Four years ago, Rasmussen found that 64% of veterans rated Biden as a weaker commander in chief, highlighting ongoing skepticism toward Democratic leadership on military matters.
Conducted April 19–21 among 1,080 likely voters with a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points, the survey also showed strong partisan divides. Nearly seven in 10 Republicans said Trump is a stronger commander in chief compared to just 22% of Democrats. Among independents, 38% agreed.
Demographic disparities were evident as well. Men were more likely than women to view Trump favorably on military leadership, and older voters—more likely to have served in the military—expressed stronger support than younger Americans. Support for Trump’s military leadership was also notable among Hispanic voters, with nearly half saying he is stronger than most recent presidents.
The findings come as national security and military readiness remain critical issues for voters, particularly amid ongoing debates over defense spending and border security. For many conservatives, the Rasmussen poll reinforces the view that Trump’s policies and leadership style command respect among those who have served, even as political divisions persist in the broader electorate.
