Harry Enten of CNN says American approval for removing Nicolás Maduro rose quickly after a weekend operation, climbing from 21% to 37% while disapproval stayed near 38% — a change Enten says is within the poll’s margin of error. He suggested Americans tend to back foreign-policy moves they view as successful, citing a similar shift after U.S. strikes on Iran. CNN’s John Berman and Enten cautioned the bump may be temporary, and commentators warned against repeat intervention mistakes, noting the long-term decline in support for the Iraq War.
CNN Data Analyst: U.S. Support Climbed After Maduro Capture — But Gains May Be Short‑Lived
Support for the U.S.'s ousting of Maduro jumped from 21% to 37% after the U.S. military carried out the operation. / Jesus Vargas/Getty Images
CNN data analyst Harry Enten reported a sharp swing in U.S. public opinion after a weekend operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from his residence. Enten said approval for a U.S. military ouster of Maduro rose significantly in the immediate aftermath of the raid.
According to Enten on CNN News Central, pre-raid polling showed just 21% of Americans approved of a U.S. military removal of Maduro, while 47% disapproved. After the operation, approval climbed to 37% versus 38% disapproval — a shift Enten stressed is effectively within the poll’s margin of error.
Though Trump was condemned by Congressional Republicans and foreign leaders for kidnapping Maduro, the operation saw a modest polling bump. / Alex Wong / Getty Images
“After the ousting? Look at that! The support through the roof! Now, we’re talking about 37 percent, well within the margin of error of the opposition, 38 percent,” Enten said, punctuating the observation with an emphatic clap.
Enten explained the movement as part of a broader tendency for Americans to rally behind foreign-policy actions they deem successful. He drew a parallel to public reaction after U.S. airstrikes on Iran last year, when net approval moved from -9 points in June to +4 points by July.
The Saturday operation — which the president has publicly and privately suggested could facilitate U.S. access to Venezuela’s oil — has prompted criticism from some members of Congress and international leaders. Still, Enten noted the raid produced a modest polling bump for President Donald Trump, though both Enten and CNN host John Berman warned such changes can be temporary.
The U.S. airstrikes in Iran over the summer had a similar before/after polling bump. / Screengrab / CNN
“These things can change again depending on conditions inside those countries,” Berman said, adding that the current numbers are nonetheless notable.
Commentators cautioned against interpreting a short-term approval spike as long-term endorsement. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly warned that early enthusiasm for interventions has sometimes led to prolonged, costly conflicts, citing Iraq and Libya as examples.
Context: The article notes an historical example: initial U.S. public support for the Iraq War was about 72% at its start in March 2003; by 2023, roughly 36% of Americans said the war was justified.
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