CNN data analyst Harry Enten highlighted striking new polling data showing President Donald Trump enjoys near-unanimous support from his core Make America Great Again (MAGA) base, even amid controversy over recent U.S. military action in Iran.
Appearing on CNN News Central, Enten pointed to an NBC News poll that found Trump with a 100% approval rating among self-identified MAGA Republicans. He described the figure as one that “jumps off the screen,” comparing it to the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only NFL team to complete a perfect season and win the Super Bowl.
“Sometimes you look at the polling data and there are numbers that just jump off the screen at you. And this is one of those,” Enten said. He emphasized that disapproval of Trump essentially places someone outside the MAGA movement. “Now, there are some Republicans who disapprove of Donald John Trump, but they are not members of the Make America Great Again movement,” he added. “The bottom line is this: if you are a member of MAGA, you approve of Donald Trump.”
Anchor Sara Sidner noted criticism of Trump’s military strikes against Iran—dubbed Operation Epic Fury—from prominent voices including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and even some Trump allies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Sidner asked whether the operation was eroding support within the MAGA base compared to the 2024 election.
Enten pushed back, saying the data shows no signs of weakening. The 100% approval rating “is not an artifact of MAGA shrinking,” he explained. “It’s just an indication of how strong Donald Trump’s grip is on that MAGA base.”
Polling cited by Enten showed MAGA identification at approximately 30% of Americans, a slight increase from 28% around November 2024. This suggests the movement is holding steady or modestly growing rather than contracting.
Support for the Iran operation remains robust within the core base. According to Enten, about 90% of MAGA voters approve of the strikes, with similar high numbers in other surveys. A YouGov-Economist poll found 91% support among MAGA respondents, while a Quinnipiac University poll showed 85% of Republicans overall backing the action. Enten described the military effort as “tremendously popular” among Republican voters despite broader national divisions.
In a separate February segment with Sidner, Enten argued that the MAGA movement has staying power beyond Trump himself. He predicted it would outlast the president, pointing to its deep roots within the Republican Party and strong alignment with figures like Vice President JD Vance. “It’s not just about Donald Trump. It’s about the Make America Great Again movement,” Enten said.
While the NBC poll showed Trump’s overall national approval at roughly 44% approve and 54% disapprove, the data underscores the intense loyalty within his core supporters. Subgroup samples for MAGA identifiers are smaller, leading to wider margins of error, but the near-perfect alignment stands out.
Enten’s analysis paints a picture of a cohesive and energized MAGA base that continues to dominate the modern Republican Party. Even as high-profile critics voice concerns over foreign policy, polling indicates Trump maintains overwhelming backing from the voters who form the heart of his political coalition. The numbers suggest that, for now, the movement’s internal unity remains remarkably intact.
