In a remarkable on-air statement, CNN analyst Harry Enten proclaimed Donald Trump to be the "most influential president" of the current century, and potentially further back. Enten's commentary highlighted Trump's policies' far-reaching impact on tariffs, immigration, and executive orders, reshaping the United States like no leader in recent times.
The discussion centered on the significant rise in tariffs under Trump's administration, with the effective U.S. tariff rate reaching 18 percent in 2025—the highest since the era of Franklin D. Roosevelt. This marks a stark increase from the mere 2 percent the year before, indicating a sweeping shift in U.S. trade policy with extensive domestic and international effects. Tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods aimed at protecting local industries, can lead to increased expenses for consumers and strained relations with trading partners.
Enten's analysis spotlighted how Trump's expanded tariff use is altering economic dynamics on a global scale. Another area where Trump has made notable changes is immigration policy. Enten pointed out a 60 percent decrease in net migration to the U.S., a drop that could lead to the nation experiencing net negative migration for the first time in over fifty years. In 2024, the net migration was approximately 2.8 million, but the numbers are rapidly declining due to current policies. These changes have profound implications for labor markets, social services, and demographic trends nationwide, reflecting a continuation of the administration's focus on stricter border control and immigration law enforcement.
Additionally, Trump's exercise of executive power reached a frequency not observed since the mid-20th century. In 2025, he signed 180 executive orders, outpacing any president since Roosevelt. For context, former President Joe Biden issued 77 executive orders in his first year. Enten underscored this aggressive use of executive authority as evidence of Trump's resolve to reshape government policy swiftly and decisively, often circumventing congressional standstill.
Enten's acknowledgment of Trump's historic influence is particularly notable given CNN's history of critical coverage of the president. The network has faced repeated allegations of partisan bias, with studies demonstrating a predominant focus on negative coverage of Trump. A 2017 Harvard report indicated that 93 percent of CNN's coverage of Trump carried a negative tone during his first 100 days in office, further blurring the lines between news reporting and commentary.
The CNN analyst's candid recognition of Trump’s impact diverges from the network's usual narrative and has garnered considerable attention. He concluded the segment with a statement that underscored the gravity of Trump’s presidency, saying, “Love it, like it, or lump it, it truly is history-making.” Enten's analysis stands as a mainstream acknowledgment of Trump's profound and enduring effect on the nation's economic and social trajectory.
