President Donald Trump has singled out the one CNN journalist he says should keep his job, even as he claimed that “literally nobody” is watching the network and declared it to be trapped in a “death spiral.”
In a Saturday post on Truth Social, Trump, 80, praised CNN pollster Harry Enten, 38, calling him the strongest journalist at the left-leaning network. The president also took aim at MSNBC, which he referred to by its recently announced name, MSNOW.
“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 was referring to a recent television segment by Enten, CNN’s chief data analyst, who has worked at the network for eight years.
During the segment, Enten discussed polling that showed Trump continuing to hold significant support within the Republican Party. Fifty-three percent of GOP respondents said Trump was the president they admired most.
Ronald Reagan followed with 18 percent, while Abraham Lincoln was selected by 8 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 Saturday Truth Social post, President Trump, 80, described pollster Harry Enten, 38, as CNN’s best journalist
“The best person on CNN is Pollster Harry Enten,” Trump wrote, praising him for reporting that showed Trump was more popular among Republicans than Abraham Lincoln, George Washington or any other president
The president appeared to welcome the findings and used the post to offer CNN a prescription for turning around its fortunes.
“CNN can be turned around with new leadership and anchors (MSNOW cannot!), because a Great Brand can never truly be destroyed,” Trump wrote.
Trump has regularly criticized CNN, making his praise for one of its journalists an unusual departure from his typical attacks on the network.
His comments about Enten came only days after he confronted another CNN reporter during an event at the White House.
CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes questioned Trump on August 17 after Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff mocked the president’s relationship with aide Natalie Harp during a rally in Georgia.
Trump responded by calling Ossoff a “Pee-wee Herman lookalike” and saying, “we’re fixing a White House that hasn’t been taken care of.”
Harp has served as one of Trump’s closest aides for years. She is sometimes referred to as the “human printer” because she regularly brings the president stacks of news articles to read.
Holmes tried to ask a follow-up question about South Korea before Trump had finished speaking, triggering an angry reaction from the president.
“Quiet. Quiet. Quiet!” Trump shouted at Holmes.
“You’re very disrespectful in front of this young man,” Trump said, pointing toward 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai. The boy was being honored at the White House after being rescued from dangerous surf off the California coast the previous month.
Enten, CNN’s chief data analyst, has worked at the network for eight years; he is pictured with journalist Kaitlan Collins, another frequent target of Trump’s criticism
“CNN can be turned around with new leadership and anchors (MSNOW cannot!), because a Great Brand can never truly be destroyed,” Trump wrote
“You’re a loud, boisterous person. You’re fake news,” Trump added, repeatedly ordering Holmes to be quiet as she attempted to continue her question.
Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared visibly irritated and mouthed words to a colleague after Holmes spoke.
The official White House social media account and Trump’s supporters also criticized the correspondent following the exchange.
“Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question,” the official Rapid Response 47 account posted. “They will be sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive. It’s quite troubling.”
The White House also described Holmes as “a disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession.”
Holmes serves as CNN’s senior White House correspondent and has been with the network for more than 14 years.
A CNN spokesperson defended her, saying: “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 confrontation with Holmes followed Trump’s long-running dispute with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, whom he has repeatedly clashed with at the White House.
Trump devoted a substantial portion of his White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech in July to criticizing Collins, saying she reminded him of Dylan Mulvaney, the transgender influencer associated with the controversial Bud Light campaign.
During his White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech, Trump targeted Kaitlan Collins and compared her with Dylan Mulvaney, the transgender influencer featured in a controversial Bud Light campaign; he also commented on Collins’ appearance and said she did not smile enough
Earlier this month, Trump confronted CNN senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes, telling her to be quiet and criticizing 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 also revived an earlier complaint about Collins’ demeanor, claiming that she rarely smiles.
“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.”
Trump’s remarks sparked anger among CNN executives and employees, with network leaders reportedly considering whether to withdraw from next year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
CNN also issued a defense of Collins when asked about the president’s comments.
“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 Trump’s latest endorsement, Enten has frequently presented polling and economic data that reflects poorly on the president.
In May, Enten appeared to react candidly after a report showed inflation had climbed 6 percent over the previous year. His response was captured by a live microphone.
“Jesus,” Enten whispered as the hot mic picked up his reaction.
John Berman was reporting at the time before turning to Enten for analysis of a CNN poll that found 77 percent of Americans believed Trump’s policies had increased their cost of living.
“These are the ugliest numbers I have ever seen on inflation,” Enten said. “And it’s not just one poll, Johnny Berman, it’s many polls.”
He then reviewed several surveys showing that Trump’s approval ratings on the economy had fallen to notably low levels.
