President Donald Trump on Tuesday, May 5, claimed that CNN reported he enjoys 100% approval with Republicans, drawing a quick rebuke from CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
In a video clip that went viral online, Trump told supporters, “Did you see the CNN poll? Nobody says anything.” He pointed to the number as proof of strong backing from within his party.
A few hours later, Tapper replied directly on X, saying, “Nope.” He then linked to a recent CNN analysis showing erosion in Trump’s support among Republicans.
In one 24-hour period in late March, the network’s data indicated Trump’s overall support within the GOP fell from 90% to 80%, while strong approval dropped sharply from 64% to 43%.
Is President Trump’s approval at 100%?
The numbers Trump appeared to reference came from an earlier CNN segment featuring data analyst Harry Enten.
In that report, Enten highlighted an NBC News poll that found Trump’s approval at 100% among voters who identify as MAGA, and not all Republican voters.
Enten noted the striking figure and added that some Republicans who disapprove of Trump simply do not call themselves MAGA.
MAGA identifiers represent a loyal core of the Republican Party, but they are not the same as all Republicans.
Polls consistently show that Trump retains strong support among the broader GOP, often in the 80s, but it is rarely unanimous.
President Trump’s overall approval rating as president is in the mid-30s, with disapproval hovering around 60 percent or higher in most national surveys.
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A CNN poll of polls released in early May put his approval at 35% and disapproval at 64%. Recent surveys have also shown some softening among younger Republicans and on economic questions.
The President’s familiar pattern
Trump often highlights the most positive numbers from his base, while His critics zero in on broader measures that include all voters.
In most cases, all positive polls are shared on his social media handles, particularly on Truth Social. He also highlights all polls that show him leading in any comparison. Any other polls that give him a low rating are considered fake news.
The MAGA loyalty of the president’s base argues that his grip on the movement that delivered his 2024 victory is still strong, whereas opponents say stretching the MAGA number to represent the entire Republican Party misleads the public.
Tapper’s factual check drew mixed reactions on social media, with some netizens praising it as a necessary correction.
Others accused the CNN news anchor of selective fact-checking and pointed out that Enten himself had spotlighted the 100% MAGA figure weeks earlier.
Why MAGA voters matter
Polling experts note that subgroups like “MAGA Republicans” tend to be smaller and more intense in their views, which can produce eye-catching results.
Self-identified MAGA voters made up roughly 28-30% of the electorate around the 2024 election, according to some surveys, and that share has held steady.
Trump’s core supporters show little sign of wavering, but wider public opinion remains divided.
Also Read: U.S. Declares End of ‘Epic Fury’ Operation as Trump Signals Shift Toward Iran Talks
The Iran-U.S. war has been one of the key factors behind the president’s sinking approval numbers. Many Americans, including those identifying as MAGA, have criticized the administration’s war aims.
They accused the president of igniting a conflict in the Middle East—despite his campaign promises to end all wars and put America first.
Prominent voices, such as former Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, accused him of betraying voters who took him at his word.
On May 2, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the end of Operation Epic Fury.
