A recent CNN poll reveals that President Donald Trump is not losing public support amid the ongoing government shutdown, unlike during his first term. Analyst Harry Enten highlighted a shift in voter perceptions compared to the 2018-2019 shutdown. Fewer Americans now blame Trump for the impasse.
The CNN poll, analyzed by chief data analyst Harry Enten during a segment with anchor John Berman, underscores a notable difference in public reaction to the current government shutdown versus the 35-day shutdown from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019.
Twenty days into the 2018-2019 shutdown, Trump's net approval rating had dropped by three points, with further declines to follow. Enten noted, “The shutdown was eating into his popular support, it was down three points already at this particular point and would fall considerably more, it was very much on the decline.” In contrast, 20 days into the present shutdown, Trump's net approval has risen by one point. “This shutdown hasn’t eaten into Donald Trump’s support at all! His net approval rating is actually up a point, in terms of his popular support,” Enten explained. He added, “Turns out shutdowns are different the second time around when it comes to Donald Trump.”
On blame attribution, only 48% of respondents hold Trump responsible for the current shutdown, down from 61% during the earlier episode. “It’s a different world,” Enten declared, emphasizing that the first shutdown harmed Trump's standing while this one does not. As a result, there appears to be little pressure on Trump from a popularity standpoint to resolve the shutdown swiftly.
The poll suggests Democrats' efforts to frame the narrative have not swayed voters favorably, with Trump maintaining steady support amid the prolonged stalemate.