CNN’s Harry Enten: Polls Show ‘American Public is With Donald Trump’ On Not Letting Iran Get a Nuke

CNN’s data guru Harry Enten broke down the polling on how Americans feel about Iran getting a nuclear weapon and the possibility of the U.S. bombing Iran during an on-air hit on Wednesday. Enten made clear that answers on U.S. military action in Iran rely heavily on how the questions are asked, but concluded that Trump’s position is far more popular than “many would think.”

“You’ve looked at all the numbers. Trump has said that Iran cannot possibly get a nuclear weapon – that is what this is all about. How do Americans feel about that particular thing?” began anchor Sara Sidner.

“Yeah, look, I think it’s a complicated picture overall, but on this particular question and overall, I feel like there’s more support for Donald Trump’s positions than is commonly acknowledged,” Enten began, adding:

Oppose Iran getting a nuclear weapon. I mean, look at this: 79% of adults agree on that. They agree with Donald Trump. Iran cannot get nuclear weapons. 83% of Republicans, 79% of independents, 79% of Democrats. When you get 79% of Democrats and 83% of Republicans agreeing on anything, you know that that position is the very clear majority in this country. And so the American public is with Donald Trump. They definitely oppose Iran getting nuclear weapons.

“So this is some nuance here, but Trump and Netanyahu both arguing that Iran is close to being capable of making a nuclear weapon. If that is the case, what is the feeling of Americans as to whether the United States should get involved in this conflict?” Sidner followed up.

“Right, if you buy Donald Trump’s theory of the case, and I think that’s important to note, this is polling from April. If Iran’s trying to make a nuclear weapon, look at this. Overall, you get the slight plurality. I mean, it’s within the margin of error, but the slight plurality of Americans actually favor U.S. airstrikes compared to 47% opposing it,” Enten replied, adding:

Now, here’s the other nugget I’ll note, right? There’s been a lot of talk online and on social media and in podcasts of a divide within the Republican ranks. But here, on this question, if Iran is trying to make nuclear weapons, look at that: 69% of Republicans, the clear vast majority of Republicans favor U.S. airstrikes on Iran, on their nuclear facilities.

But there is this substantial minority, 27%, who oppose such an idea. So it’s not surprising you’re hearing those other voices besides Donald Trump out there. There are plenty of them in the Republican ranks who oppose the U.S. striking Iran, if they’re trying to make a nuclear weapon, but the clear majority, the clear majority of Republicans are with Donald Trump. If in fact Iran is trying to make nuclear weapons, they do in fact potentially favor U.S. airstrikes.

“Do Americans prefer a sort of military action here or a diplomatic solution when it comes to Iran?” Sidner pressed.

“Right. So, you know, we’re talking about – you can favor one thing, but you could also favor another thing more. So yes, the U.S. public plurality and the vast majority of Republicans would favor U.S. airstrikes if Iran’s trying to make a nuclear weapon. But what do they prefer? To limit the risk of Iran making nuclear weapons, the American public prefers what? They prefer a negotiated agreement,” Enten explained, adding:

Sixty-nine percent, sixty-nine percent of the American public prefer a negotiated agreement as compared to fourteen percent who prefer taking military action. I will note, Sara Sidner, that this 69% includes 64% of Republicans. So even there, even if Republicans, the clear majority would in fact support airstrikes on Iran, U.S. airstrikes on Iran, they prefer a negotiated agreement.

“And you’ve looked across the board, but we do need to mention that this was in April of 2024 that this polling was taken. We are now well into June and these strikes are happening and the United States is being sort of asked to come into the war by Israel,” Sidner added.

“We have polling now. We’ll see what this polling takes as the political sides make their argument,” Enten replied.

Enten later shared the segment on X, noting, “The GOP is considerably more dovish than it used to be, as 29% of the GOP are are against airstrikes even Iran’s trying to make nuclear arms.”

Watch the clip above via CNN.