CNN’s chief data analyst, Harry Enten, recently provided an interesting perspective on President Donald Trump’s favorability ratings, suggesting that the numbers may not tell the full story. While various media outlets often highlight protests relating to Trump’s administration, particularly regarding budget cuts and immigration policies, Enten indicates that many Americans may actually have a more favorable view of the president than is commonly reported.
Despite Trump’s net favorability rating being slightly negative, Enten encouraged viewers to consider a different angle when interpreting these numbers. He pointed out that Trump’s approval is reportedly higher now than at any point during his first term, and indeed higher than when he won the election in November 2024. “We often hear about how unpopular Trump is, but he’s actually more popular now than he was in his first term,” Enten stated.
One key metric that Enten pointed to was the level of voter confidence regarding whether the country is headed in the right direction. This is an important measure of Trump’s standing with the public. Currently, about 45% of Americans feel the nation is on the right track, according to Marist, marking the second-highest rate since 2009. NBC News has seen similar findings, with 44% of respondents expressing a positive outlook, the highest since 2004.
Enten’s analysis emphasizes that while Trump’s approval ratings may appear lower than those of past presidents, they are actually improved when comparing his current position to his own historical ratings. He noted that the percentage of people feeling positively about the country’s direction has significantly increased. Additionally, the current numbers mirror previous years when Republicans successfully gained control of Congress.
In summary, although the mainstream narrative often paints Trump in a negative light, analysts suggest that a closer look reveals a more favorable view among Americans today compared to his earlier terms. It appears that many citizens are optimistic about where the country is headed, which could bode well for Republican prospects in future elections.
