A stunning new report from CNN’s data cruncher Harry Enten reveals a tectonic shift in American politics during the age of President Donald Trump.
During a Friday segment with host Kate Bolduan, Enten revealed that new data clearly show that Republicans have replaced Democrats as the “party of the people” and that the party of the Donkey now counts Americans with college degrees as its base.
“Throughout all of this one big question has been and continues to be how much pain are Americans — will Americans have to endure in this trade war, and how much will they be OK enduring. A new poll out offers maybe some insight into that feeling showing that Americans are split when asked which party cares most about their needs,” Bolduan said to begin the segment before bringing Enten in.
“This to me is one of the most shocking pieces of poll data that I truly truthfully have seen this year or maybe in any prior year,” Enten began, surprising Bolduan.
“Cares more about the needs for people like you. We’ve got a tie even after this tariff war had already started, split between Democrats and Republicans on how people feel which party cares more for needs of people like you. And why is that so surprising? Because I want you to take a look at prior years,” Enten said.
“Democrats always lead on this question. Back in 2017, before the 2018 midterms, 13- point lead. Two thousand five, a 23-point lead for Democrats. In 1994, which was a big Republican year, a 19-point lead for Democrats,” he said.
“And now all of a sudden, a tie. All of a sudden, the Democrats, who were the party of the people, no more — no more. We get a tie on this question on a question that has traditionally overwhelmingly been a Democratic advantage — people for — party — which party cares more for the needs of people like you,” he continued. “It’s truly something I would not have expected to see, especially after this tariff war had begun.”
“Where are — where does it show that Republicans are making the most gains?” Bolduan asked.
“Again, you talk about party of the people. Look at this. Cares for the needs of people like yourself. Look here. We’ve got non- college, and we’ve got those with a college degree. Among those with a college degree it’s the same score, plus-18 points for Democrats in 2017, plus-18 points for Democrats now,” the data cruncher said.
“But look among non-college voters. Look here. It was plus-seven for Democrats in 2017 and now Republicans an overwhelmingly gain, plus- nine points. That is, the gains have been concentrated, at least within he last decade, among voters without a college degree — the working class. That is where Republicans have gained even since the beginning of the Donald Trump administration,” Enten continued.
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“The Democratic base is now those with a college degree. Among the working class — those without a college degree — Republicans have overwhelmingly gained on this all-important question of which party cares more for people like yourself,” he said.
Bolduan then asked Enten if the new data would have any effect during next year’s midterm elections when the party in power — which is Republicans — traditionally lose seats.
“I want you to take a look here at the generic congressional ballot. Where we were in April of 2017, Democrats were already ahead by seven points. In November of 2024, on this question, it was a tie. And then, of course, Republicans won control,” Enten responded.
“Where are we now? It’s Democrats but just by a point. This looks very much still like what we saw in 2024, not like what we saw in 2017. If Democrats think they automatically have a ticket back to control of the House, I’d say hold on a second. Republicans still have a real shot at this despite all of Trump’s theatrics over the last month with this tariff war,” he said.