CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten discussed on Tuesday how right-wing conspiracy theories, such as those associated with Jeffrey Epstein, have bolstered President Donald Trump’s popularity and fueled recent criticism over his administration’s handling of documents related to the deceased convicted sex offender.
Enten stated in a conversation with CNN’s Sara Sidner, “Donald Trump has consistently promoted conspiracy theories, and he has historically benefited from them. Now, these theories are coming back to haunt him.”
Conspiracy theories about Epstein have circulated within pro-Trump circles, with supporters suggesting that the disgraced financier possessed a “client list” to blackmail powerful individuals.
Additionally, some of his backers have perpetuated theories that Epstein did not die by suicide but was murdered.
The Justice Department and the FBI have refuted claims of Epstein’s murder and the existence of such a list, leading to backlash from Trump supporters as it contradicted previous statements made by his officials.
During his segment on CNN, Enten highlighted the significant backing Trump received from QAnon supporters in the 2020 election, underscoring that the movement played a crucial role in his victory.
A poll conducted by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute showed that registered voters who believed in QAnon conspiracy theories favored Trump over then-Vice President Kamala Harris by a margin of +61, while those who rejected such theories preferred Harris over Trump by +16.
Enten also referenced past polls indicating that Republican voters and GOP-leaning independents who supported Trump in the 2024 and 2016 presidential nominee selection largely aligned with the conspiracy theories he endorsed.
He argued that Trump’s promotion of these theories to his base helped him rebound politically after his election defeat and the events of January 6, 2021.
