SerpApi.Org
CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten said that working-class voters have sharply turned against President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy, pointing to new polling that shows widespread frustration over the cost of groceries.
Working class believes groceries are unaffordable
Speaking on CNN News Central, Enten highlighted survey data indicating that 66 percent of Americans now believe groceries are unaffordable. He then cited polling from The Washington Post and Ipsos showing an even steeper sentiment among lower-income households, with 82 percent of Americans earning less than $50,000 annually saying grocery prices are unaffordable.
Host Kate Bolduan asked, “Which segment of the American people are getting hit the hardest?”
Enten responded, “Yeah, OK, great question. And, you know, if we talk about this when we’re talking about Donald Trump’s base, we’re talking about working-class voters, right? So take a look here.”
“Income under $50,000 on grocery affordability — and keep in mind that Donald Trump won this group, won this group back in 2024, put up a historically strong performance for a Republican candidate. But look at these numbers now: just 16 percent of those with household incomes under $50,000 think that groceries are affordable,” he said.
“The lion’s share, 82 percent — you rarely ever see 82 percent of any group agreeing on anything — but what you see here is that those working-class folks, those who have incomes, household incomes, under $50,000, the lion’s share, more than 4 in 5, say that groceries are unaffordable at this point,” Enten explained.
Shifting poll numbers
Bolduan then asked how much opinion had shifted regarding Trump’s stewardship of the economy.
Enten answered, “Yeah. OK. So we’re talking about a group that Donald Trump carried back in 2024, put up a historically strong performance this century with those making under $50,000. And look at these numbers. Look how these numbers have changed. OK, income again, household incomes under $50,000. On Trump and the economy back in October of 2024 versus Kamala Harris, he was more trusted on the economy by 16 points.”
“Look how this is a whole different world, a switcheroo. The net approval is now 39 points underwater — under the Hudson River. We’re talking about a flip-flop here of greater than 50 points. The working class has turned against Donald Trump. They, simply put, don’t believe things are affordable [and] are taking their anger out on him. And you really have to wonder whether or not they’ll take out their anger on Republicans come the fall midterm elections as well,” he concluded.
