‘Kingmaker In Chief!’: CNN Pollster Says Trump Has 95% Win Rate In Primary Endorsements

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten named President Donald Trump the “kingmaker in chief,” at least when it came to his record on Republican primary endorsements.

Enten spoke with CNN anchor John Berman about Trump’s decision to back Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) in a potential primary match-up with incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and said that Trump was nearly undefeated in primaries featuring a candidate he’d endorsed.

WATCH:

Trump going with Julia Letlow over Cassidy in the Louisiana GOP Sen primary is a huge deal!

Trump’s the kingmaker GOP primaries (endorsees win 95%+ of the time). His approval rating with the GOP? ~90%!

When Trump goes against you, you go in the grinder to quote Good Burger. pic.twitter.com/xPBi0swOiV

— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) January 19, 2026

“President Trump is the kingmaker in Republican primaries, that’s why it’s such a big deal,” an animated Enten explained to Berman on Monday. “Take a look here: times Trump endorsees won GOP primaries, these are congressional and gubernatorial. In 2020, it was 98%; in 2022, it was 95%; in 2024, it was 96%.”

“President Trump has the magic touch when it comes to endorsing in Republican primaries,” Enten continued. “And when he doesn’t endorse you, you go — to quote the great movie ‘Good Burger’ — into the grinder!”

Trump offered his full-throated endorsement to Letlow via a Truth Social post on Saturday, saying in part, “I know Julia well, have seen her tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and she is a TOTAL WINNER! A Proud Mother of two children, Julia is a wonderful person, has ALWAYS delivered for Louisiana, and would continue doing so in the United States Senate.”

“As your next Senator, Julia will work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Support our Amazing Farmers and Fishermen, Champion Louisiana Oil & Gas, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump added.

Letlow has not officially launched a Senate campaign, but is reportedly considering a run.