As the president gears up for an expected reelection bid, he can tout accomplishments from low unemployment to new infrastructure projects. But 4 in 10 Americans say they’re worse off than two years ago.

President Joe Biden’s first two years in office have been a study in contrasts: of highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies, stability and chaos.

The nation has so far avoided a recession, and economic forecasts are looking rosier, with unemployment at historic lows. But inflation, while declining, remains high – and many Americans are still hurting. A stunning 41% say they’re worse off today than they were two years ago.

President Biden restored the United States’ image as a strong global leader in supporting Ukraine against Russia, following a disastrous pullout from Afghanistan in 2021. But the latest clash of superpowers – in which a suspected Chinese spy balloon traversed the entire U.S. before being shot down – underscores an increasingly adversarial relationship with China that could deteriorate quickly. 

In contrast with the tumultuous White House of former President Donald Trump – already an announced candidate for 2024 – Mr. Biden has surrounded himself with loyal advisers who rarely leak to the press, creating a sense of stability in uncertain times.