Kate Bolduan, co-anchor of “CNN News Central,” struggled on Friday’s program to process President Donald Trump’s latest approval ratings. That became evident as the network’s resident data guru, Harry Enten, told viewers that Trump’s favorability is higher today than at any point during his first term.
Enten could hardly contain his glee in pointing out one of the greatest political comeback stories in American history, though I suspect the positive vibes have more to do with his love of numbers than anything else.
Still, it’s remarkable to watch the delivery on CNN of all places. Enten began by referencing a new Reuters/Ipsos poll showing Trump with a net favorability rating up six points.
Trump was down three, at the same point during his first term.
“Look at where we are now in January 2025, considerably better at plus six points. That’s up nine points. To borrow a Donald Trump phrase, this is big league,” Enten declared.
He continued:
This is a sign that the American people, at least initially, like what they’re seeing. And so you see right here, more Americans approve of Donald Trump’s job than disapprove. And that is very much – very much – unlike what we saw eight years ago.
From there, Bolduan and Enten explored the fact that Trump’s highest net number throughout his entire first term peaked at plus-3. According to the polls, he had never previously seen the level of support Trump’s being graced with today.
Bolduan tried to add what she considered context to the presentation before eventually letting out some sort of squeal in disbelief.
Watch:
NEW: CNN’s Harry Enten on Trump’s +6 net approval rating:
“That’s up nine points. To borrow a Donald Trump phrase, this is big league. This is a sign that the American people, at least initially, like what they’re seeing … And that is very much, very much unlike what we saw… pic.twitter.com/N6ygSMFdwU
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) January 24, 2025
“So Donald Trump isn’t just in a better position than he was eight years ago at this point. He’s in a better position than he was at any point during his entire first term. Things have very much turned around,” Enten explained.
Then he added:
This is a very, very different Donald Trump. He’s leading a very different administration the way he’s attacking things. And the American public is very much more in line with him than they were at any point during his entire first term.
Bolduan countered with what she called a “correction” because Trump, she believes, is the same man. He’s just being viewed differently by the American people.
CNN’s Harry Enten’s Latest Polls on American Feelings About Deportations Will Make Dems Lose Their Minds
Democrats Desperately Downplaying Trump’s Support From Black Voters – Trust Me, They’re Terrified
Enten explained that Trump has hit the ground running in his second term in a much more “organized” manner. He then presented viewers with the fact that no president in U.S. history has started with a higher approval rating in the first month of his second term than at any point of his entire first term.
History in the making.
“I have a really hard time believing this!” Bolduan squeaked at an octave that would make Mariah Carey jealous.
Bolduan remained skeptical as the segment ended, her face scrunched and her eyes looking skyward, perhaps grasping for some explanation for what she is seeing.
“This is true,” Enten replied. “I don’t make stuff up. The numbers are the numbers.”
The facts and the numbers–and the American people–are solidly behind President Trump.
