Abby Phillip shifted gears fast. The “CNN NewsNight” host dodged a challenge from Republican strategist Scott Jennings on Monday. Instead of answering, she turned to polling numbers on Trump.
The debate started over DOGE budget cuts. Media outlets pushed the narrative that GOP voters were angry. Alencia Johnson, a former Biden staffer, claimed Republicans “shut down” town halls in protest. Jennings fired back, demanding proof.
“You guys keep trying to create this fantasyland where Donald Trump is not popular or Republicans are mad,” he said. “Can you name a single Democrat in Congress who is more popular than Donald Trump right now? Answer: No. The reality is, Republicans are so happy with this, they‘re not upset about it.”
Jennings didn’t stop there. “The American people are happy about what’s going on right now because for the first time in a long time, a president said, ‘I‘m actually going to reduce the size of the government,’” he added.
Phillip dodged the question. Instead, she cited a CNN poll claiming 52% of Americans thought Trump had the wrong priorities. “Scott, I know you like numbers and you like polls. So, let’s put the poll up,” she said.
Jennings wasn’t buying it. “His job approval is roughly 50%. Congressional Democrats, 21%,” he shot back.
Phillip pushed again. “Okay. He is underwater. And yes, he’s—” she said before Jennings cut in. “According to us, but not according to the averages.”
Meanwhile, DOGE has been slashing spending. The agency reported $105 billion in savings. Courts have battled over executive actions, blocking some layoffs while allowing others.
Trump’s approval sits at 48.6%, per Real Clear Polling. His disapproval is 47.4%. Only CNN, NPR/Marist, and Quinnipiac have him in the negative.
Phillip made her case. “He’s more popular than the Democrats, but if you‘re claiming that everything that he’s doing is popular, it’s actually very clear in the polling that specifically the DOGE stuff is not popular,” she said.
Jennings stood firm. “I don’t think that’s clear-cut. I don’t agree,” he shot back.