In a moment that left even CNN stunned, senior data analyst Harry Enten admitted that new polling data shows Republicans have pulled even with Democrats on a key voter trust metric—who “cares more about the needs of people like you.” For decades, this question has heavily favored Democrats. Not anymore.
“This was a shocker for me,” Enten said. “It’s the first time in modern polling history that Republicans are not trailing Democrats on this question. That’s a massive shift.”
Historically, Democrats have enjoyed double-digit leads in this category. In 2017, they led by 13 points. In 2005, by 23. In 1994, by 19. Now, the parties are tied—and that’s sending shockwaves through the political world.
Enten attributed the shift to growing Republican support among working-class Americans, a demographic that has increasingly found a home in the America First movement. Despite nonstop media attacks, an unstable global economy, and ongoing fights over tariffs and trade, the GOP’s populist message is clearly resonating with everyday voters.
And while Democrats continue to focus on divisive identity politics and bureaucratic programs, Republicans are gaining ground by talking directly to Americans about jobs, wages, border security, energy independence, and inflation.
This trend poses a major threat to Democrats heading into the 2026 midterms. With President Trump back in office and a growing number of independents and working-class voters aligning with the GOP, the Democrats’ once-reliable edge in “compassionate” branding appears to be slipping away.
“This is not just a polling blip—it’s a realignment,” said one strategist close to the Trump campaign. “The working class is done being ignored by elites in Washington. They want strength, security, and a voice in their future. And they’re finding that in the Republican Party.”
Even more concerning for Democrats, these shifts are not isolated. Polling continues to show growing Republican support among Black and Hispanic voters, especially men. And younger working-class voters, once presumed to be locked into the left’s coalition, are drifting toward conservative, anti-establishment candidates who speak to their frustrations with rising costs and declining opportunities.
Enten’s reaction—genuine surprise at the data—highlights just how disconnected the mainstream media has become from the country it claims to cover. While legacy networks push narrative-driven coverage, real Americans are turning away from progressive ideology and embracing policies that deliver results.
A shocker for me given the tariff war: The GOP seems to be in their best position ever for the party who cares more for the needs of people like yourself.
A tie on a metric that Dems have historically led by double digits.
The reason? Huge GOP gains among the working class. pic.twitter.com/BItuHBd2rM
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) April 11, 2025
As President Trump leads a renewed push for economic revival and American strength, this latest polling metric is yet another sign that the political map is changing. And if Democrats thought their old playbook would carry them through 2026, they may want to think again.
Voters are shifting. Trust is shifting. And the party that once claimed to fight for “the little guy” is losing that title to the GOP.