Trump says he’d likely work with Jeffries as Speaker

President Donald Trump said in a late-night interview that he would “probably” get along with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries if Democrats win the House in November, predicting smooth relations and even “very nice” conversations with the Brooklyn Democrat.

Trump’s remarks, aired Friday by Punchbowl News, came as the midterm race tightens and Republicans face growing pressure to deliver on their midterm promises. A divided government could force tough choices on spending, taxes and the debt ceiling, areas where Trump and Democrats have clashed in the past. Jeffries, now the top House Democrat, has positioned himself as a pragmatic counter to Trump’s confrontational style, but both men have shown willingness to cut deals when it serves their interests.

The former president’s comments are unusual for someone who has spent years attacking Democratic leaders as radical and uncooperative. In 2020, Trump called Jeffries “a radical leftist” and accused him of enabling socialism. But Trump has also praised bipartisan moments, including a 2018 budget deal negotiated with then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Jeffries, a former corporate litigator, has emphasized coalition-building across the aisle, raising the prospect of rare cooperation in a hyper-polarized Congress. Their potential dynamic could influence everything from Ukraine aid to government funding bills.

If Republicans fall short of their expected House majority, Trump’s comment could signal a shift toward transactional politics in Washington. It may also reflect his strategy of positioning himself as the de facto leader of the opposition, regardless of party lines. Either way, the comment highlights how personal relationships still shape legislative outcomes—even in an era of intense polarization.