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Ten Smartest US Presidents Since World War II, and One Not So Smart

Understanding the intellectual prowess of U.S. Presidents offers insight into how they approach their very important job. Each president brings unique strengths to the office, influencing their decisions and policies. From Franklin D. Roosevelt’s strategic navigation of the Great Depression and WWII to Barack Obama’s eloquent leadership and nuanced policy-making, these leaders displayed remarkable cognitive abilities. Other presidents, like Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, demonstrated their smarts through effective communication and pragmatic problem-solving. By examining how these ten presidents—Franklin D. Roosevelt, Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Lyndon Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden—used their brains to shape their agendas, we gain a deeper appreciation for their contributions to American history.

Joe Biden: IQ of 187

Biden didn’t attend a fancy Ivy League school (he graduated from the University of Delaware and got his law degree from Syracuse), but his long tenure in the Senate and as Vice President provided him with a comprehensive grasp of legislative processes and global diplomacy, shaping his approach to current challenges.