Trump's popularity appears stronger than expected, suggests expert

CNN's chief data analyst, Harry Enten, discussed President Trump's popularity during a recent segment. He suggested that a better way to assess Trump's approval is by asking Americans if they feel the country is on the right track. Enten pointed out that despite ongoing protests against Trump's policies, many Americans actually view him favorably. His net favorability rating is currently -4, which is an improvement compared to previous ratings. For instance, it was -7 when Trump won the election in November 2024, and -10 in March 2017, at the start of his first term. He emphasized the importance of comparing Trump's current ratings to his own past numbers, rather than focusing solely on his overall popularity. Enten mentioned that 45% of Americans believe the country is on the right track, which is one of the highest levels since 2009. Additionally, polling data reveals that 44% believe the country is on the right path, the highest figure since 2004. This indicates a positive shift in public sentiment. Enten also noted that the current margin for Republicans in congressional ballots resembles data from years when Republicans gained control. He concluded that while Trump's approval ratings may be lower than many past presidents, they are stronger compared to his own historical ratings.