CNN data analyst Harry Enten said a new poll shows there is very little public support for President Donald Trump’s effort to have his name placed on government buildings while he is still in office. According to the polling Enten cited, only 9% of Americans approve of naming government buildings after Trump during his presidency. He emphasized how small that figure is by noting that it is lower than the share of Americans who believe in some widely known conspiracy theories, including the idea that the Earth is flat or that the moon landing was faked.
The poll also found limited support for such honors even after Trump leaves office. Just 21% of respondents said it would be acceptable to name buildings after him once he is no longer president, while 50% said it would not be acceptable under any circumstances. The opposition extended beyond partisan lines, with only 17% of Republicans saying the idea was acceptable.
Enten mocked the push on air, quoting Michael Jordan’s famous line, “Stop it! Just stop it,” to describe how the public appears to feel about the proposal. He repeated the message later when discussing a separate idea for a commemorative $250 bill featuring Trump’s image, saying the president should focus instead on inflation and the economy if he wants to improve his standing with voters.
The segment came after a federal judge rejected an effort tied to renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board did not have the authority to change the venue’s name and ordered references to Trump-related naming proposals removed. In his ruling, the judge said only Congress can change the Kennedy Center’s name. Trump criticized the decision but said the issue would ultimately be handled with Congress.
Enten used the moment to argue that Trump’s attention to symbolic projects is out of step with what voters care about most. He said Trump was elected to deal with inflation, yet now faces record-low ratings on that issue. Polling cited in the segment showed only 29% of Americans believe Trump is focused enough on issues affecting everyday people, while 68% said he is not.
Recent survey data also showed worsening views of Trump’s handling of inflation and prices. His net approval on the issue fell sharply in 2026, with only 25% approving and 72% disapproving. Overall approval has also weakened, with the Silver Bulletin average putting his net approval at -19.1 and his approval rating at 38.1% in May 2026, the lowest point of either Trump presidency. Independent voter approval has fallen to 34%, adding to concerns about his political standing as economic pressure remains a central issue for many Americans.
