CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten shared new polling insights Tuesday on News Central, noting that a growing number of Americans believe the country is on the right track under President Donald Trump’s second term.
Enten also pointed out that Trump’s current approval metrics are stronger than they were during much of his first term in office and even during his 2024 re-election campaign.
“All we talk about is how unpopular Donald Trump is. But in reality, he’s basically more popular than he was at any point in term number one and more popular than he was when he won election back in November of 2024,” Enten said during the segment.
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Enten referenced Trump’s net favorable rating, which currently stands at minus four points.
While still in negative territory, it marks a significant improvement over previous benchmarks.
“Compare that to where he was when he won in November 2024, when he was at minus seven points, or in March 2017 when he was at minus 10 points,” 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.”
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He added that this pattern aligns with a long-running trend in polling where Trump’s popularity has often been underestimated.
“And of course, that’s so important because Donald Trump, historically speaking, has had his numbers underestimated,” Enten said.
More notably, Enten reported a dramatic rise in the number of Americans who now believe the nation is heading in the right direction.
“The bottom line is the percentage of Americans who say we’re on the right track is through the roof,” he stated.
To provide context, Enten compared current sentiment with past election cycles.
“If you were to compare it to when presidents have historically been reelected — of course Trump is not constitutionally eligible to run for reelection, but I think it sort of puts it in perspective — 42% of the country says the country is on the right track when the incumbent party is reelected.”
Enten contrasted the current numbers with those from 2024, prior to Trump’s return to office, when then-Vice President Kamala Harris lost her presidential bid and Democrats were removed from power.
“Only about 27 to 28% of the country said the country was on the right track,” Enten said.
We need a “reality check”… Right track % in the U.S. is “through the roof!” Highest since 04 per NBC & 2nd highest since 09 per Marist.
Trump is more popular now in his net favorable than any time in term 1 or when he won in 2024.
Generic ballot looks like when GOP wins. pic.twitter.com/iDh0XEt1qK
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) March 25, 2025
The remarks from Enten on a CNN broadcast come amid an ongoing national conversation about the political landscape following Trump’s re-election.
While the administration has faced criticism from various outlets, Enten’s comments suggest measurable shifts in public sentiment across multiple data points.
President Trump, who returned to the White House after defeating Harris in November 2024, has focused his second-term agenda on restoring economic growth, strengthening border security, and increasing domestic energy production.
His administration has also received praise from supporters for its approach to foreign policy and national defense.
Despite being constitutionally ineligible to seek a third term, Trump remains a central figure in American politics and maintains significant influence within the Republican Party.
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