Polling data revealed a significant decline in U.S. President Donald Trump‘s economic approval ratings, prompting discussions about the implications for his administration and the upcoming midterm elections. During a segment on CNN’s News Central, hosts John Berman and Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten highlighted the troubling numbers, indicating that public sentiment has shifted dramatically against the president’s economic performance.
Berman opened the segment by noting that Trump’s recent claims of pride in the economy are not reflected by the majority of Americans. He stated, “So in a new interview, President Trump said he is very proud of the economy, but now that’s not how Americans feel by and large.” Enten elaborated on this sentiment, illustrating a sharp contrast from Trump’s first term, when the economy was seen as a strength. “The economy used to be the wind beneath Donald Trump’s presidency wings and now it’s his Titanic,” he remarked.
According to Enten, Trump’s economic net approval has plummeted from plus eight points during his first term to a staggering negative 18 points. This marks a 26-point shift in public opinion. Enten emphasized that this drastic change is alarming for Republicans, suggesting it could influence their chances in the midterms: “This is the type of number that Democratic midterm dreams are made of and Republican nightmares are also made of.”
The data indicates that public perception has turned sharply against Trump’s economic policies. Currently, 52% of Americans believe that the Trump administration has worsened the economy, while only 28% feel it has improved. Even among Republicans, only 57% view the administration’s economic actions positively. “When you’re only getting 57% of the Republican base to agree with a positive position for Donald Trump, you know you are in some massive trouble,” Enten noted.
Berman and Enten also discussed the critical importance of economic sentiment in shaping overall approval ratings. Berman pointed out that many voters prioritize the economy as the most pressing issue, with Enten asserting that this factor is significantly driving Trump’s declining approval. “This is more than anything else what is driving Donald Trump’s approval rating overall down; it is the economy,” he stated.
The most alarming figures, according to Enten, come from independent voters. During Trump’s first term, his economic approval rating among this demographic was above water by 10 points. Now, it sits 43 points below zero, marking a 53-point reversal. “You can’t win elections when on the number one issue you are 43 points below water among independents. This is just absolutely atrocious,” he concluded.
As the discussion shifted to the implications for the midterm elections, Berman raised concerns about the Senate. Enten’s straightforward response was, “It ain’t safe. It ain’t safe at all.” He referred to prediction market data showing Republican chances of retaining the Senate have decreased from 81% in February 2025 to 63%, while Democratic prospects have risen from 19% to 37%. “The Republicans are still favoured to win the Senate,” he noted, “but even the things that look safe for Republicans no longer do.”
As these economic approval ratings continue to deteriorate, the ramifications for Trump’s presidency and the Republican party’s standing in the upcoming elections are becoming increasingly evident.
