CNN data analyst Harry Enten was more fired up than I’ve ever seen him. Given all the coverage of President Donald Trump’s unpopularity, he felt it was time to deliver a “reality check”: Trump is currently more popular than at any point in history, even surpassing his high water mark immediately after winning reelection in November.
Trump’s net favorable rating currently stands at -4 points. You may scoff at that number, but Enten reminds us that during his previous record highs in March 2017 and November 2024, Trump’s net favorable ratings were -10 and -7 points, respectively.
Enten explained, “So when you compare Trump against himself, he’s actually closer to the apex than he is to the bottom of the trough, and, of course, that’s so important because Donald Trump, historically speaking, has had his numbers underestimated.”
Even more impressive, the percentage of Americans who believe the country is on the right track is “through the roof,” he said. An NBC News poll shows this index at 44%, its highest level since 2004, while a Marist poll reports it at 45%, its second-highest point since 2009.
To put these results in perspective, this metric stood at 27% in November. “The bottom line is that, right now, a much higher percentage of the country says we’re on the right track,” Enten noted.
Finally, he looked at the congressional generic ballot, a key indicator with the 2026 midterms approaching. In November 2020, when Democrats won, this data point showed Democrats at +5. By November 2022, when Republicans reclaimed the House, it had dropped to 0. In November 2024, as the GOP narrowly held the House and regained its Senate majority, it stood at Democrats +1. And that’s where it remains today.
Summing up, Enten said, “This number [D+1] looks a lot like November 2022 or 2024 when Republicans won control of Congress. The bottom line is yes, Donald Trump’s approval rating is lower than – compared to a lot of his predecessors – but it’s higher than when compared to himself. A lot of folks say the country is on the right track and the congressional generic ballot looks a heck of a lot more like when Republicans win than when Democrats win.”
Of course, CNN host Sara Sidner, who did not appear to Enten’s enthusiasm, felt compelled to temper his excitement. “It will be interesting to see if any of what just happened with these leaking of the texts plays into it in a later poll, but this is very telling.”
Enten replied, “This is very telling. At least at this point, Republicans are still in the catbird seat.”
Enten’s analysis was refreshing. He calls it as he sees it and frankly, I’m surprised CNN allows him on the air.
The Democrats entire raison d’être has been reduced to resistance against Trump. Former Vice President Kamala Harris’s crushing defeat in November left the party without a clear leader. Aside from a few misguided proposals—such as offering a $25,000 check to first-time homebuyers and imposing price controls—her campaign focused primarily on demonizing Trump.
Incredibly, as individual Democrats jockey for power to fill the party’s leadership vacuum, none of them are straying from this same failed strategy. Notably absent from their rhetoric are any fresh, innovative ideas on how they can improve life for everyday Americans.
The party’s collective case of Trump Derangement Syndrome is preventing any meaningful shift. Nor will a large portion of their base allow it. They fail to realize that until they can overcome their irrational anger and present a positive, inclusive message that resonates with voters beyond their embittered core supporters, they will remain right where they were left in November: on the outside, looking in.
I hope they remain trapped in this abyss for a long time.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
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