CNN data guru blames Trump's unpopularity for 'humongous' mistake: 'He's jealous'

CNN's Harry Enten speculated why President Donald Trump has been attacking the first U.S.-born pope.

The 79-year-old president has been lobbing personal attacks at Pope Leo XIV over his criticism of the war against Iran and other global conflicts, and the data analyst presented public approval polling that showed Americans have a clear favorite between the two public figures.

"Maybe President Trump is jealous of Pope Leo XIV because it is a blowout," Enten said. "Itis a blowout, and this is justthe American public at large. Look at this: It is a blowouton the net popularity rating.Pope Leo XIV at plus-34.Look at where Donald Trump is at minus-12. It's not even close. It'sa nearly 50-point blowoutamongst the American public atlarge.

"Pope Leo XIVabsolutely crushing President Trump when it comes to howpopular they are, at least as ofthe last month, and I will notethat Pope Leo was the mostpopular person tested by NBC News. I believe the president ismaking a humongous mistake goingafter the most popular guy in America, at least a well-knownguy."

Trump won re-election, in part, due to backing from Catholic voters, but that support has largely evaporated already.

"There's areason why the pope is smilingthere," Enten said. "How about among American Catholics? President Trump isstruggling with American Catholics. Look at this, maybethis is part of the reason whyhe's going after the pope. U.S. Catholics on Trump, you know,you go back to November of 2024.Look at this, President Trumpcrushed, crushed Kamala Harrisby 20 points.

"But down he goes, down he goes into the Dead Sea.Look at this, minus-four points.That's a nearly 25-pointswitcheroo in the wrongdirection. The president hasbeen struggling with Catholics, and I must say, in my expertopinion, I'm not quite sure thatgoing after the pope is the wayto recover with Catholics."

Pope Leo XIV is far more popular with Catholics than the president, and they also don't like the war at the center of their public dispute.

"Net approval ratingamong U.S. Catholics, U.S. military action against Iran,minus-10 points – quitenegative," Enten said. "You think that's low,though, come over to this sideof the screen. Trump on Iran, look at this, they're even moresour on Trump – 20 pointsunderwater. So the bottom lineis this: The pope is emblematicof Catholics here in the United States. The pope is far morepopular with the American publicthan Trump is here in the United States, and Trump has beenstruggling with Catholics herein the United States, very muchso, losing a lot of ground, asyou see right here on nearly 25points for Trump, and this ain'tgoing to help."

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