Inflation is poised to be a defining issue in the upcoming elections, and President Donald Trump is facing unprecedented challenges on the matter, according to CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten. Enten stated Sunday on "Laura Coates Live" that Trump's net approval rating on inflation is a "history-making" 52 percentage points underwater.
"We are talking about a 59-point swing in the wrong direction for the president of the United States. On the most important issue of the day," Enten said, emphasizing the severity of the decline. He further noted that the current inflation approval numbers are worse than any recorded since the start of the Iran war in February, with some polls showing ratings of -60 points or worse.
This situation contrasts sharply with the 2024 election, where inflation concerns played a significant role in Trump's victory. Voters at that time trusted him more than his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, to manage rising costs, granting him a 7-percentage-point advantage on the issue. However, the current data suggests a dramatic reversal.
Enten explained that voters are reacting to their personal financial experiences, such as the cost of groceries and gasoline. He pointed out that the 25 worst net approval ratings on inflation on record all belong to Trump, underscoring the unique nature of his current predicament.