CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten said President Donald Trump is “under the Hudson River” regarding his net approval rating on Friday, citing a new Washington Post-Ipsos poll that also showed a whopping 82% of working-class Americans feel groceries are unaffordable.
“President Trump says one thing; the American people feel something very, very different,” said Enten during his appearance on “News Central.”
“On the simple question, ‘Are groceries affordable?’ … back in February, the majority of Americans said, ‘Yes’ [for a total of 54%].” he said. “Then, of course, the Iran war began, right? In late February. Look at these numbers now. That ‘No’ number has skyrocketed. Look at this — 66% of Americans now say that groceries are, in fact, ‘Not Affordable,’ ‘Unaffordable.’”
Trump’s war in Iran has led to the repeated disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, and that disruption has been seen as a catalyst for rising gas and food prices.
“News Central” co-host Kate Bolduan on Friday asked Enten which segment of the U.S. population is “getting hit the hardest” in terms of grocery affordability. Enten confirmed that it’s Trump’s own working-class base.
The newest Post-Ipsos poll was conducted between July 8 and July 13 and shows only 15% of 2,648 surveyed adults “strongly approve” of Trump’s job performance.
“And keep in mind that Donald Trump won this group back in 2024, put up a historically strong performance for a Republican candidate,” said Enten. “But look at these numbers now, just 16% of those with household incomes under $50,000 think that groceries are affordable.”
The poll also showed that half of Republicans said groceries are affordable and only about a quarter of independents and Democrats agreed. For 82% of households with incomes below $50,000, meanwhile, the costs are ‘not affordable.’
Enten noted that “you rarely ever see 82% of any group agreeing on anything, but what you see here is that those working-class folks, those who have … incomes under $50,000, the lion’s share — more than 4 in 5 — say that groceries are unaffordable at this point.”
The survey showed just how far Trump’s net approval has plummeted. Enten reiterated how popular the president was in the 2024 election among voters making less than $50,000.
“Look how these numbers have changed,” Enten said to begin another rundown of numbers.
“Back in October of 2024 versus [then-Democratic presidential nominee] Kamala Harris, he was more trusted on the economy by 16 points … it’s a whole different world, a switcheroo. The net approval, now 39 points underwater — under the Hudson River,” he continued. “We’re talking about a flip-flop here of greater than 50 points. The working class have turned against Donald Trump. They simply do not believe things are affordable and are taking their anger out on him.”
Enten wondered whether or not voters will in turn “take out their anger on Republicans” in the upcoming midterm elections. In turn, Bolduan appeared taken aback by the president’s latest approval rating.
“I mean, this is unbelievable,” Enten said.