Economic Confidence Under Trump Plummets, Echoing Biden's Presidency Struggles
Confidence in the U.S. economy during President Donald Trump's second term is experiencing a dramatic decline, according to analysis from CNN's chief data analyst Harry Enten. In a Tuesday assessment, Enten highlighted a striking parallel between the economic challenges faced by Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Polling Reveals Sharp Decline in Economic Approval
"The economy and inflation ate Joe Biden's presidency alive and now it is eating Donald Trump's presidency alive," Enten stated, referencing recent polling data. He noted that Biden, in January 2022, was polling at -19 points on economic approval. Trump, who began his second term with a +6 point rating, has now plummeted to -20 points at the same juncture in his presidency.
"Down he goes," Enten remarked about Trump. "Down the slide into the ocean he goes." He emphasized that "Donald Trump is actually in a slightly worse position right now on the economy than Joe Biden was in his presidency."
Public Opinion on Administration Priorities
Further polling analysis by Enten indicates significant public dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's focus. A vast majority of 74% of Americans believe the administration is dedicating too little attention to lowering prices. Conversely, 53% feel the government is concentrating excessively on its anti-immigration crackdown and deportations.
Midterm Election Implications for the GOP
Enten issued a stark warning for the Republican Party regarding the upcoming 2026 midterm elections if current trends persist. He explained the historical correlation between a president's economic approval rating and congressional seat losses.
"If the president's net approval rating on the economy is positive, which Donald Trump isn't, you keep your House seats loss to a minimal, right? You lose about nine seats on average," Enten said. "If his net approval rating in the economy is negative, as it is right now for Donald Trump [...] it's a 28-seat loss on average."
Such a loss would likely result in the GOP waving "goodbye" to its House majority, and potentially its control of the Senate as well, Enten added. This analysis underscores how economic perceptions can dramatically influence electoral outcomes, with both Trump and Biden facing similar public skepticism during their terms.
