Donald Trump, Barack Obama tie for most admired man in Gallup poll

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Obama kisses baby while golfing in Hawaii Former President Barack Obama kissed a baby at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii's Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course in Kailu.

WASHINGTON – Another sign of how closely divided Americans are over politics: The annual Gallup poll of the nation's most admired man is a tie between President Donald Trump and his political opposite, Barack Obama.

Trump and Obama both score 18% in the most admired poll that Gallup has conducted since 1948, well ahead of runners-up Jimmy Carter, Elon Musk and Bill Gates (2% each).

"It is Obama's 12th time in the top spot versus the first for Trump," Gallup reported.

Former first lady Michelle Obama retains the title of the nation's most admired woman, Gallup said, polling 10%. Current first lady Melania Trump places second at 5%.

The presidential responses fall sharply along party lines, according to the poll.

Gallup reported that 41% of Democrats name Obama the most admired man, and 45% of Republicans go with Trump.

"Relatively few Democrats choose Trump and relatively few Republicans pick Obama, while independents' choices are divided about equally between the two men," the poll said.

In the poll for most admired woman, Michelle Obama (10%) and Melania Trump (5%) finish ahead of Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton and Greta Thunberg, each of whom poll at 3%.

Gallup noted that "the incumbent president has typically been Americans' choice as the most admired man, having earned the distinction in 58 of the 72 prior Gallup polls."

Trump finished second to Obama in the most admired polls taken in 2017 and 2018, years in which his job approval ratings were lower.

"Trump is more popular now than he was in the past two years, with a 45% job approval rating, among his best as president," the poll said.

Gallup said Trump's ratings "grew enough this year to allow him to tie Barack Obama as the most admired man, but not to end Obama's streak of 12 first-place finishes."