CNN data expert fact-checks Trump’s distorted clips at rallies

CNN’s Harry Enten has a bone to pick with President Donald Trump. Enten argues that the clips Trump has repeatedly played at campaign rallies to tout his popularity paint an incomplete picture. He says the clips Trump is showing are selectively highlighting favorable polling while ignoring broader numbers that tell a far less flattering story.

“If you had told me a decade ago that I would a) be on CNN, and b) the president of the United States would be playing clips of mine at his rallies… I don’t think I would have bought it for a minute. I’d put the chance at 1 in a million… and that may have been high,” he told CNN correspondent Brian Stelter. “Here’s what I’ll say: I think you can watch my segments, short and long. The MAGA GOP is just a small part of them,” Enten continued. “They help tell a story, but it’s not the full story.”

During a rally in Texas this week, Trump touted polling figures he described as “really sort of amazing because CNN did them,” using the network’s own data to bolster his claims of widespread popularity. “They have to be credible when they’re positive,” Trump said of CNN, despite his past criticism of the network.

The clips feature Enten highlighting Trump’s overwhelming support among MAGA Republicans, noting that he captured 99% of their vote in 2024 and later earned a 99% approval rating among the same group. In another segment, Enten declared Trump the most admired president among Republicans, with higher favor than both Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln. “Such an honor,” Trump said of the footage. “Thank you. Thank you, CNN.”

But Enten views Trump’s analysis as both selective and “laughable,” especially as current data shows Trump has lost supporters. Trump’s current approval rating heading into the upcoming midterm elections has severely declined. Only 34 percent of Americans are happy with Trump’s performance as president, according toCNN’s polling. Enten says that data shows a troubling reality for the GOP. In May, Enten said of the president, “The reality check is this: Donald Trump has never been more unpopular in his second term in office.”

Trump has long maintained an adversarial relationship with CNN, making his recent praise of the network’s polling reports a notable departure from his usual rhetoric and having many question whether he’s doing so to tell a false narrative. He has repeatedly attacked the network and its journalists, accusing them of spreading “fake news” and portraying CNN as dishonest, corrupt, and politically biased against him and Republicans. As recently as last month, Trump defended his decision to bar CNN and other news outlets from the White House.