CNN’s number-crunching senior data correspondent painted a grim political picture for President Donald Trump — one driven by rising prices, global instability, and a rapidly shifting electorate.
The latest economic warning signs are piling up. Inflation at the wholesale level surged to more than double expectations, while tensions tied to the Iran conflict continue to rattle an already fragile economy. Meanwhile, Americans are seeing it firsthand at the pump, with gas prices ticking higher yet again.
Against that backdrop, CNN’s John Berman pressed for answers: how do voters feel about the cost of living now — and how does it compare to when Trump secured reelection?
The response from CNN’s Harry Enten was blunt, bordering on alarmed.
“I would say that this is the most troublesome sign that I have seen for the President of the United States and the Republican Party so far,” Enten admitted.
He pointed to a dramatic reversal. Back in October 2024, Trump held a modest edge over Kamala Harris on the cost-of-living issue. Today, that advantage has not only vanished — it has collapsed entirely.
“What are we talking about? Well, let’s take a look here. Voters on Trump on the cost of living… You go back when he was reelected back in October of 2024. He was beating Kamala Harris by three points on the costs of living, right?” Enten explained.
“Look at his net approval rating now. Whoo! Down underwater we go! His net approval at a record low, 41 points below water! You can’t win when you’re at 41 points below water on the cost of living.”
Enten didn’t stop there — he drew a stark political conclusion.
“Kamala Harris couldn’t win the Democratic Party couldn’t win and I’m here to tell you that there’s a better chance that I root for the New York Yankees than Donald Trump and The Republican Party winning when he’s 41 points below water.”
And if that weren’t enough to raise eyebrows, the numbers among independents were even more jarring.
Berman noted that rising fuel costs — now nearing $3.88 per gallon nationally — could make matters worse in the weeks ahead, especially with geopolitical tensions escalating.
So what about the crucial swing voters? Enten’s answer: brace yourself.
“Yeah, what about independents? You think this 41 points below water is bad, take a look at independents. It’s even worse,” he said.
“I mean, 60 points underwater when it comes to Trump and the cost of living among independents! Again, a record low.”
Then came the number that’s likely to echo through political war rooms:
“You go back to October of 2024. He was winning on this issue over Kamala Harris by 11 points. Look at that switcheroo. That is a 71-point switcheroo!”
Enten didn’t sugarcoat the implications.
“In the wrong direction for Donald Trump when we’re coming to the cost living and independents. And this, my dear friends, is just a political nightmare waiting to happen for the Republican party come the midterm election.”
Berman followed up with a question many Americans are already answering with their wallets: do voters really care that much about rising costs?
Enten’s reply was simple and direct: “You know, yes, they do, Mr. Berman.”
