CNN delivered a rare moment of honesty this week when chief data analyst Harry Enten revealed that President Donald Trump’s foreign-policy approval rating is not only soaring—but outperforming every other second-term president of the 21st century. For millions of Americans who follow international affairs closely, especially older voters concerned about national security, the news confirmed what they have already felt: America is stronger and more respected under President Trump.
Enten told anchor John Berman that Trump’s foreign-policy approval numbers are “up like a rocket,” marking one of the largest improvements in modern polling history. Trump climbed from just 35% during his first term to 43% approval today, a jump Enten described as a “double-digit rise” that CNN simply could not ignore. For a network that has spent years criticizing Trump, the admission turned into a headline that surprised many viewers across the country.
What makes the shift even more significant is the comparison to previous presidents. Enten displayed data showing that George W. Bush sat at only 36% approval in his second term, and Barack Obama came in at 37%. That puts Trump at the top of the pack, outshining both of his predecessors by a commanding margin. For older Americans who lived through the Bush and Obama years, this contrast highlights what many consider a major restoration of American leadership on the world stage.
Enten noted that foreign policy is often where presidents attempt to secure their historical legacy. According to the data, Trump is now positioned to leave a stronger mark than either Obama or Bush. The American people—many of whom are deeply focused on stability, peace, and strength abroad—are responding positively to Trump’s results-driven approach.
A major boost to Trump’s approval came from his successful efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Voters saw a president who stepped in decisively, restored order, and guided U.S. interests with clarity. This stands in sharp contrast to former President Joe Biden, whose foreign-policy approval collapsed to a deeply negative 37% by the time he left office. Enten said plainly: “Voters clearly approved of how Trump handled the situation between Israel and Hamas.”
CNN’s data also revealed something especially important for viewers who closely monitor global events: prediction markets now show a 56% chance that Trump will broker full normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Such an achievement would be a generational milestone in Middle Eastern diplomacy, strengthening America’s strategic alliances and creating new opportunities for peace and economic cooperation.
For older voters—many of whom prioritize national security, stability, and effective international leadership—this new analysis underscores a broader trend. President Trump is earning renewed confidence at home while building a foreign-policy legacy that Obama and Bush never achieved.
As CNN’s own numbers now show, President Trump is leading the world with strength, clarity, and results—leaving his predecessors far behind.