ATLANTA – CNNsenior writer and chief data analyst Harry Enten walked through polling that shows President Donald Trump holding unusually strong support inside the Republican Party. Using CNN survey averages and side-by-side comparisons, Enten said Trump’s current approval among Republicans sits well above where Barack Obama and George W. Bush stood with their own parties at a similar stage of their presidencies.
The discussion came up while the panel talked about Trump’s influence in GOP primaries and the impact of his endorsements. According to Enten, the numbers suggest Trump’s pull with Republican voters remains firm. As he put it, Trump’s “magic touch has not seemed to wear off yet when it comes to the Republican base.”
Main Takeaways From Enten’s Breakdown
- Very high Republican approval: CNN polling averages show Trump at 86% approval among Republicans at this point in his second term.
- Higher than recent presidents at the same stage: At a comparable moment, George W. Bush was at 77% with Republicans, and Barack Obama was at 77% with Democrats.
- More intense support, too: 53% of Republicans strongly approve of Trump’s performance. By comparison, Obama measured 48% and Bush 47% on strong approval at the same point.
- Endorsement power tied to base loyalty: Enten compared Trump’s primary influence to famous athletes like Tom Brady and Babe Ruth. He also said Trump-backed candidates have posted 95% to 99% win rates in recent cycles, helped by tight party loyalty.
- Standout own-party support in the modern era: Enten summed it up plainly, saying Republicans support Trump more than any 21st-century president’s party supporters at this point.
Even as Trump’s overall national approval moves up and down, the Republican core stays steady. That gap between base support and broader approval is a major part of the story.
Own-Party Approval, Side-by-Side
Here’s the same comparison Enten shared, focused on approval within each president’s own party at roughly the same point in their second terms:
| President | Party Approval Rating (%) | Strong Approval (%) | Time Period Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | 86 | 53 | Current (second term, early 2026) |
| Barack Obama | 77 | 48 | Similar point in the second term |
| George W. Bush | 77 | 47 | Similar point in the second term |
Source: CNN polling averages and historical figures as cited by Harry Enten. Timelines reflect approximate equivalents across presidencies.
Enten stressed that this level of party unity stands out. In many presidencies, overall approval sits in the 40% to 50% range because the country splits along party lines. In contrast, Trump’s near-unified backing from Republican voters gives him a strong base even when national debates heat up.
Why These Numbers Matter for Trump’s Influence
High own-party approval usually turns into real power inside a party, and Enten argued that’s exactly what’s happening here. Because Republicans approve of Trump at such a high rate, his endorsement often carries major weight in primary elections. Since 2020, Trump-supported candidates have won GOP primaries at a pace that goes far beyond what most endorsements can deliver.
As a result, challenges to Trump-aligned candidates often struggle to gain traction. Even when Trump’s broader public numbers soften, Republican enthusiasm hasn’t dropped in the same way.
Enten’s tone stayed data-focused, but he made clear the size of the gap surprised him. “Look at this: 86% of Republicans approve,” he said, while pointing back to the 77% figures for Obama and Bush.
A Quick Look at Party Loyalty Over Time
Presidents often begin terms with strong support from their party, then see it slip when controversies build or conditions change. In that context:
- Bush held about 77% party approval at a similar second-term point, before later drops tied to the Iraq War and economic concerns.
- Obama also measured 77% among Democrats at the same stage, showing solid support but less intensity than Trump’s current numbers.
Trump’s 86% approval, paired with higher strong approval, signals a more locked-in base. That kind of support can cushion a president from pressures that hit other administrations harder.
What to Watch Next
With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, the data suggests Trump still holds major influence within the Republican Party. It’s still unclear how long that strength will last or how it will shape policy fights and candidate choices, but the polling shows little sign of fatigue among GOP voters.
Enten’s segment also highlights something many headline polls miss. National approval matters, but internal party support can say even more about a president’s staying power. After the clip aired, the comments spread quickly on social media and conservative outlets, mainly because the contrast between Trump’s GOP numbers and his broader national approval remains so sharp.
