CNN's Harry Enten Gives Pete Hegseth a Zero Rating Amid Boat Strike Scandal

On Tuesday, Harry Enten revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not recorded a positive net favorability in any poll over the past year. Zero, zero, zero, zero, zero! declared CNNs chief data analyst.

Enten noted that Hegseth has never been widely popular, referencing a poll from last year indicating that most Americans believed the Senate should not confirm the former Fox News host as defense secretary.

Hegseth, along with the Trump administration, has faced increasing criticism following a Washington Post report. The report stated that Hegseth issued an order to "kill everybody" on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in September. When two men survived the first strike, U.S. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley followed Hegseths instructions and carried out a second attack that resulted in no survivors. Both Hegseth and Trump have blamed Bradley for this second strike, despite survivors clinging to the wreckagean action described as illegal under the Defense Departments Law of War manual.

During an interview, CNNs John Berman asked Enten whether Hegseths negative ratings suggested Americans were uninterested in him. Enten explained that, in fact, Hegseth generated significantly more public attention than recent defense secretaries. Data from the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research showed at least ten polls focused on his popularity.

Enten commented, It is highly unusual for a defense secretary to attract this level of attention, especially outside a time of war. He added that such polling interest had not been seen since Robert Gates served under both George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Enten also highlighted a spike in predictions regarding Hegseth being the first Trump Cabinet member to depart. According to Kalshi, the likelihood increased from 18% on Friday, following the September 2 strikes report, to 35% on Tuesday.

Author: Sophia Brooks