CNN analyst points to economy as Trump's support weakens among working-class voters
WASHINGTON, DC: In what appears to be a declining popularity of President Donald Trump among the working class of America, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten claimed that Trump’s handling of the economy is to blame.
Speaking on CNN News Central Friday, July 17, Enten pointed to new polling showing Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with grocery prices, noting that significant share of respondents now say groceries are unaffordable.
He also cited a Washington Post-Ipsos poll showing the figure jumps to 82 per cent among working-class Americans with household incomes below $50,000.
Working-class Americans question Trump’s handling of economy
Host Harry Enten, along with his co-host Kate Bolduan, discusses what the working class of America thinks about affordability. During the discussion of Friday’s episode, Enten claimed that the working-class household with incomes under $50,000, which supported Trump in 2024, doesn’t think that groceries are affordable.
“This group back in 2024 put up a historically strong performance for Republican candidate,” Enten said, indicating Trump’s working-class support is drifting away.
“But look at these numbers now, just 16 per cent of those with household incomes under $50,000 think that groceries are affordable.”
Enten further stated that 82 per cent of the particular section agrees that Groceries are no longer affordable for them.
Trump’s approval rating over economy dropped among working-class
During the segment, Kate Bolduan asked Enten how much Trump's standing on the economy had changed among working-class voters since the 2024 election.
Enten said the shift was dramatic. He noted that Trump had won voters with household incomes under $50,000 in 2024 and was trusted over Kamala Harris on the economy by a 16-point margin before the election.
But, citing new polling, Enten said Trump's net approval on the economy among the same income group has since fallen to 39 points underwater—a swing of more than 50 points.
He argued that working-class voters have "turned against Donald Trump" because many no longer believe everyday necessities, particularly groceries, are affordable, adding that the backlash could also hurt Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump's second-term approval rating outpaced Obama's and Bush's
President Donald Trump’s national approval rating is higher than those of former Presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush at the same point in their second terms, according to a RealClearPolitics polling average.
The data has been widely shared by Trump allies and conservative commentators as evidence that the president's standing with the public remains resilient despite ongoing political opposition and intense media coverage.
