CNN's chief data analyst Harry Enten presented a stark warning on Monday, suggesting that President Donald Trump's unprecedented online attack against Pope Leo XIV could stem from a place of political jealousy. Enten pointed to the pontiff's overwhelmingly positive polling numbers among Americans as a key factor.
A Stark Contrast in Popularity
"I believe the president is making a humongous mistake going after the most popular guy in America, at least the most well-known guy," Enten stated emphatically during his analysis segment. The data reveals a dramatic gap. According to an NBC News poll from March, Pope Leo XIV boasts a net popularity rating of +34 points. This metric, calculated by subtracting the percentage of Americans with a negative view from those with a positive view, positions him as the most favorably viewed individual tested in the survey.
Trump's Underwater Numbers
In stark contrast, President Trump's numbers were deeply underwater in the same poll, registering a net popularity rating of -12. "It's a nearly 50-point blowout amongst the American public at large," Enten highlighted, underscoring the significant disparity in public perception. The president's verbal assault, which is rare for a modern U.S. leader, has already drawn condemnation from at least one Catholic leader serving on his administration's own Religious Liberty Commission.
Struggles with Catholic Voters
Enten noted that this controversial post arrives at a time when Trump is already "struggling" with American Catholic voters. A Fox News poll published last month showed the president holding a net approval rating of -4 within this key demographic. The analyst then connected this vulnerability to broader foreign policy concerns, specifically the situation with Iran.
Foreign Policy and Papal Diplomacy
Pope Leo XIV has been a vocal advocate for peace regarding Iran. In the wake of Trump's attack, the pontiff told reporters on Monday he would continue to "speak out loudly" against the conflict. Trump has since doubled down, insisting he owes no apology to the pope, whom he accused of saying "things that are wrong."
However, recent Fox News data flagged by Enten shows that proposed U.S. military action against Iran holds a net approval rating of -10 among American Catholics. Furthermore, the group is "even more sour" toward Trump's specific handling of the Iran situation, with a net approval of -20.
A Concluding Warning
"Trump's losing a lot of ground ... and this ain't going to help," Enten concluded, framing the attack on a highly popular religious figure as a potential political misstep that could exacerbate existing weaknesses, particularly among Catholic voters concerned about both leadership character and international conflict.
