President Donald Trump has singled out one CNN journalist he says deserves to keep his job, even as he claimed the network is trapped in a “death spiral” and insisted that “literally nobody” is tuning in.
Writing on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump, 80, praised CNN pollster Harry Enten, 38, as the standout figure at the left-leaning cable news channel, while also aiming fresh criticism at MSNBC.
“CNN is in a DEATH SPIRAL, and so is MSNOW, the new name for MSDNC. Literally, nobody is watching either Network!” Trump wrote.
He continued: “The best person on CNN is Pollster Harry Enten, because he was willing to show that Donald J. Trump is six times more popular than Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, or any other President. He’s got Credibility (Don’t fire him!).”
Trump appeared to be referring to a recent segment from Enten, CNN’s chief data analyst, who has worked at the network for eight years.
During the segment, Enten highlighted polling data showing Trump’s continued dominance among Republicans, with 53 percent of GOP respondents naming him as the president they admire most.
Ronald Reagan trailed far behind at 18 percent, while Abraham Lincoln was selected by eight percent of those surveyed.
“Abraham Lincoln, who by most historic accounts is the greatest president of all time. But Republicans say the president they most admire by, what is this, six or seven times as many, is Donald John Trump at 53 percent. Easily crushing Abe Lincoln at 8 percent,” Enten said on air.
In a Truth Social post on Saturday, the president, 80, named pollster Harry Enten, 38, as the best person working at CNN
‘The best person on CNN is Pollster Harry Enten, because he was willing to show that Donald J. Trump is six times more popular than Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, or any other President. He’s got Credibility (Don’t fire him!),’ wrote President Trump
The commander in chief appeared pleased by the segment and offered a suggestion to CNN.
‘CNN can be turned around with new leadership and anchors (MSNOW cannot!), because a Great Brand can never truly be destroyed,’ Trump added.
While criticizing CNN is nothing new for Trump, praising one of its journalists is unusual.
Trump’s approval of Enten comes just days after he exploded at another CNN reporter at the White House.
CNN’s Kristen Holmes asked Trump a question on August 17 after his relationship with aide Natalie Harp was mocked by Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff at a rally in Georgia.
Trump called Ossoff a ‘Pee-wee Herman lookalike’ and said that ‘we’re fixing a White House that hasn’t been taken care of.’
Harp has been one of Trump’s closest aides for years and is dubbed the ‘human printer’ because she carries bundles of news articles for him to read.
Holmes attempted to follow up with a question about South Korea before Trump had finished speaking, prompting an angry response.
‘Quiet. Quiet. Quiet!’ Trump shouted at Holmes.
‘You’re very disrespectful in front of this young man,’ Trump said, gesturing to 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, who was being recognized at the White House after being rescued from rough surf in California last month.
Enten, CNN’s chief data analyst, who has been at the outlet for eight years, pictured with journalist Kaitlain Collins, who the president has shared a long-time feud with
‘CNN can be turned around with new leadership and anchors (MSNOW cannot!), because a Great Brand can never truly be destroyed,’ Trump suggested in his rant
‘You’re a loud, boisterous person. You’re fake news,’ Trump added as he repeatedly told Holmes to ‘be quiet’ while she tried to ask her question.
Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared frustrated and mouthed something to a colleague after Holmes spoke.
The official White House social media account and its allies also criticized Holmes afterward.
‘Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question,’ the official Rapid Response 47 account wrote. ‘They will be sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive. It’s quite troubling.’
The White House also branded Holmes ‘a disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession.’
Holmes is a senior White House correspondent at CNN, where she has worked for more than 14 years.
A CNN spokesperson responded: ‘Public officials are free to challenge reporting they disagree with, but personal attacks on journalists for asking questions are beneath the office and inconsistent with the principles of a free press. We stand firmly behind Kristen and reject these attacks in the strongest possible terms.’
The spat with Holmes followed Trump’s longtime feud with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, with the pair frequently clashing at the White House over the years.
Trump spent considerable time targeting Collins during his White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech in July, saying she reminded him of Dylan Mulvaney, the transgender influencer who appeared in the controversial Bud Light campaign.
Trump spent considerable time targeting Collins during his White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech, saying she reminded him of Dylan Mulvaney, the transgender influencer who appeared in the controversial Bud Light campaign and has mentioned that she doesn’t smile enough
Earlier this month Trump with after CNN Senior White House Correspondent Kristen Holmes, who he told to be quiet and insulted her after she tried to ask a question
‘I thought Kaitlan had really made it big with a major new sponsorship,’ Trump said.
‘But then I informed her that it wasn’t her on the Bud Light can, it was Dylan Mulvaney.’
Trump then repeated a previous criticism of Collins, claiming she does not smile.
‘She’s a young, attractive woman, but she never smiles. I said, “Kaitlan, do you ever smile? Smile! You have a nice position, you’re at CNN fake news. You should be a happy person.” So smile, Kaitlan! Just smile.’
CNN leadership and staff were furious about Trump’s comments, and executives were discussing whether to skip next year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The network defended Collins when reached for comment.
‘Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional, trusted journalist being honored tonight for her depth of knowledge and the context she provides to audiences all over the world,’ a CNN spokesperson told Our News Outlet.
‘She reports every day from the White House and the field with real strength, tenacity and skill, and brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day. We stand by her to the fullest extent.’
Despite the president’s approval, Enten has a long history of presenting data that is not flattering to Trump.
In May, what appeared to be an honest reaction was caught on a hot mic as he reacted to a report showing inflation had risen 6 percent over the previous year.
‘Jesus,’ Enten whispered. The remark was picked up by a hot mic.
John Berman was in the midst of reporting and then introduced Enten, asking for the analyst’s opinion on a CNN poll that found 77 percent of Americans believe Trump’s policies have increased their cost of living.
‘These are the ugliest numbers I have ever seen on inflation,’ Enten began. ‘And it’s not just one poll, Johnny Berman, it’s many polls.’
He went on to detail how Trump had recorded low approval ratings on the economy across multiple surveys.
