CNN’s Anderson Cooper is raising doubts about recent polls showing Vice President Kamala Harris leading President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. While discussing the election during an appearance on “Late Night with Stephen Colbert,” Cooper admitted his concerns about the reliability of polling data, given the underestimation of Trump’s support in previous elections.
“Deep down inside, I don’t think I buy them,” Cooper said, referencing the numerous times in 2016 and 2020 when polls missed the mark on Trump’s base. Harris has experienced a surge in both polling numbers and favorability since President Biden suspended his campaign, allowing her to become the Democratic nominee without facing a primary.
Harris’ favorability has climbed from -14 points in July to +1 in September, according to CNN, while Trump’s favorability remains at -9. However, analysts like Nate Silver have warned against reading too much into the current polling, reminding the public that Trump was consistently underestimated by pollsters in both of his previous presidential campaigns.
Silver also noted that there are still months to go before the election, meaning more surprises are possible. Cooper’s skepticism reflects growing concerns that the 2024 polls, like those in past elections, may not fully capture the enthusiasm of Trump’s base or the potential shifts in voter sentiment as Election Day approaches.
While Harris currently leads in polling averages, Cooper and others are urging caution, given the polling errors of recent elections and Trump’s ability to defy expectations.
