President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are floundering on healthcare, and the numbers are merciless. CNN’s senior data analyst Harry Enten calls them “horrendous.” As the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits edge toward expiration, Americans are making one thing crystal clear: they are not buying Trump’s spin.
The AP-NORC poll from Thursday lays it bare. Only 29 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of healthcare, while 69 percent disapprove.
“Disapprove more than double, 69 percent—40 points higher than the approval. That is gosh darn awful, it’s horrendous,” Enten said. And it’s not just Democrats. “And when you look at Republicans, even 39 percent of Republicans say they disapprove.”
Nearly two-fifths of Trump’s own base disapproving? That’s political trouble. “When we’re talking about two-fifths of the Republican base saying they disapprove of Donald Trump on a particular issue, you know that the American people are against him,” Enten said. “And I should point this out: 29 percent is no outlier. I was looking at the Fox News poll—that was sub–35 percent as well. The bottom line is, Americans very much dislike Donald Trump on healthcare.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Obamacare subsidies, which keep healthcare affordable for millions, are set to expire, and costs would soar if they vanish. The subsidies were a major flashpoint in the 43-day government shutdown and remain in political limbo after both GOP and Democratic bills failed in the Senate.
Polls show Americans overwhelmingly support extending them. A November Marquette Law School poll found 70 percent want the ACA subsidies extended, versus 30 percent who want them to expire.
“Again, we’re talking double—more than double—on the extend side versus the let-expire side. Even 45 percent of Republicans say they should be extended again,” Enten said. “We’re talking about an issue that unites Democrats and cracks the Republican base right down the middle. This is just awful politics for Republicans.”
The blame game also favors Democrats. A KFF poll found 63 percent of Americans would hold Trump or the GOP responsible if subsidies expire, versus just 19 percent blaming Democrats.
“The polling is rarely ever this clear, but on this issue, it is very much clear,” Enten said. “This is an issue that hurts Republicans and very much helps Democrats.”
For Trump, healthcare isn’t just an unpopular issue—it’s a political minefield. With Americans firmly opposed and a divided base, the GOP faces a stark choice: pivot or risk heading into the next election with a major liability front and center.
Watch the segment below:
