The approval ratings of former President Donald Trump have taken a significant hit, according to a recent analysis by CNN’s Harry Enten. During a segment on December 1, 2023, Enten discussed the latest Gallup poll, which shows Trump’s job approval rating plummeting to 36%. This marks the lowest approval score Trump has received since the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riots, when his rating fell to 34%.
Enten expressed concern over the implications of this trend for the Republican party as the mid-term elections approach. He warned that if the current trajectory continues, it could spell a “disaster” for Republicans. “I mean, it’s a disaster if it holds until the midterm elections,” he stated, addressing CNN News Central host Sara Sidner.
In his analysis, Enten highlighted a striking shift in Trump’s approval ratings. He noted that while Trump’s net approval rating was at minus one point in January, it has now plunged to a staggering minus 24 points. This represents a decline of over 20 points, a significant drop that Enten described as “in the wrong direction for the president of the United States.”
The poll also revealed that Trump’s disapproval rating has climbed to 60%, a notable increase from just below 50% in February 2025. This downward trend has prompted Enten to compare Trump’s standing with that of past presidents. He pointed out that only Richard Nixon had a worse approval rating at a similar point in his second term, noting that Nixon had a net approval of minus 36 points before resigning.
Enten indicated that Trump’s ratings fall below those of previous presidents, including George W. Bush, who had a net approval rating of minus 19 points, and Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.
The segment generated a lively response from viewers on social media. Many expressed their views on Trump’s declining approval ratings, with one commenter noting, “I knew Trump’s approval rating would go way down once the impact of the Big Beautiful Bill started affecting people.” Another individual remarked, “Trump’s approval just hit a pathetic 36%, the worst second-term start since Nixon, and already cratering faster than his casinos.”
Despite the unfavorable polling data, Trump appeared to downplay these results. In a post on Truth Social, he claimed to have the “highest Poll Numbers, ever,” suggesting that his contributions to the economy will eventually be recognized.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Trump’s approval ratings will be closely monitored by both supporters and critics alike, particularly in the lead-up to the mid-term elections.
