Trump Faces Historic Low Approval on Inflation Compared to Past U.S. Presidents, CNN Analyst Says
Trump is currently facing unusually weak public approval when it comes to handling inflation, according to CNN political analyst Harry Enten, who compared his numbers with previous U.S. presidents and found them to be among the lowest recorded on this key issue.
Inflation has remained one of the most important concerns for American households, with many voters consistently ranking it as a top issue affecting their daily lives. Despite changes in overall inflation rates in recent years, public perception of economic pressure continues to influence how Americans evaluate political leadership.
During a recent analysis, Harry Enten highlighted that Donald Trump’s approval rating on inflation stands at a deeply negative level. Based on Ipsos polling data, Trump holds a net approval rating of around -49 points on this issue, which places him in a historically weak position compared to other modern presidents.
Enten compared these figures with former President Joe Biden, who also faced significant public criticism during periods of high inflation. Biden’s lowest recorded net approval rating on inflation was around -43 points, which is still better than Trump’s current standing according to the same polling source.
The comparison does not stop there. Enten also referenced historical figures such as former President Jimmy Carter, who dealt with severe inflation during his time in office. Carter’s net approval on inflation was around -46 points, meaning Trump’s current rating is even lower than what Carter experienced during one of the most economically difficult periods in modern U.S. history.
Another important part of the analysis focused on the gap between actual inflation rates and public sentiment. Enten pointed out that even though inflation has dropped significantly from its peak in 2022, public dissatisfaction remains extremely high. He noted that inflation was around 9% during June 2022 under Biden, whereas current inflation levels are roughly one-third of that figure. However, Trump’s approval rating on the issue has still fallen further than Biden’s worst period.
The analysis also highlighted broader voter sentiment regarding the cost of living. According to Ipsos data referenced in the discussion, a large majority of independent voters—around 75%—believe the country is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to living costs. Among Republican voters, about 45% also expressed similar concerns. This indicates that dissatisfaction is not limited to one political group but is spread across different sections of the electorate.
Enten further emphasized that these numbers reflect a wider political challenge, suggesting that concern over inflation and living costs continues to dominate public opinion regardless of improvements in economic indicators.
Overall, the analysis shows that inflation remains a powerful political issue in the United States, and public approval of leadership on this topic is highly sensitive to both economic conditions and voter expectations. Trump’s current ratings, as presented in the CNN analysis, place him at one of the lowest points historically when compared to other presidents on this issue.
Sources:
CNN political analysis segment featuring Harry Enten
Ipsos public opinion polling data on inflation and cost of living
Historical presidential approval comparisons referenced in CNN analysis
