CNN Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten gave viewers a “reality check” about President Donald Trump's favor on Tuesday.
The media has focused on the Trump administration's Doge cuts and protests for immigration enforcement, but Americans seem to be more acknowledging the president.
While Trump's net approval rating remains negative, Enten suggested seeing the votes in a different way to explain the number of historically underrated Trump.
“I think it's important to do a little reality check from time to time and spin a little differently on the numbers,” Enten said. “What we're talking about is how unpopular Donald Trump is, but in reality he's basically more popular than any point in Term 1 and more popular than when he won the election in November 2024.”
CNN was surprised by the “shocking” vote count showing public support for reducing Doge spending
Harry Enten suggested that voters' confidence that America is on the right track may be the best indicator of Trump's popularity.
“I think it's very important to compare him to yourself. I think it's very important to understand that he's actually more popular than when he won. According to his total number, Trump has a net favourable rating of -4 compared to -10 when he won in November, compared to -7 when he won in November and to the start of his first term in March 2017.
“So when you compare Trump to himself, he's actually closer to the top of the trough. And of course, historically speaking, Donald Trump underestimated his numbers, so that's very important,” he said.
Enten argued that another indicator has become clearer as to where Trump stands with the American people.
“Let's look at the proportion of countries that say we're on the right track. In reality, it's a very high percentage compared to historical figures,” he said.
President Donald Trump has heard Trump address a joint Congressional session at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., as Vice President of LA Vice President J.D. Vance, Left, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. (AP Photo/Ben Cartis)
“According to Marist, 45% say we're on the right track. That's the second highest Marist has measured since 2009. How about NBCNews? 44%, that's the best since 2004,” he said. “The bottom line is the percentage of Americans who say we are on the right track.
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He also showed margins for Democrats and Republicans in Congress votes, noting that the March 2025 figures are similar to the previous year when Republicans gained control of Congress.
President Donald Trump arrives at the election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024. (Evan Vucci/AP)
“The bottom line, yes, Donald Trump's approval rating is lower than in comparison to many of his predecessors, but it's higher when compared to himself,” Enten summed up. “A lot of people say the country is on the right track, and the general Congressional vote looks like a lot more when Republicans win than when Democrats win.”
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