President Donald Trump said Friday he could work with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) if Democrats reclaim the House majority in November’s midterm elections.
A Softer Tone Ahead of a Pivotal Vote
“I’d probably get along with him very well,” Trump told Punchbowl News, calling Jeffries “a nice guy” and citing a 2025 White House meeting between the two.
Addressing Jeffries’s past criticism, Trump said, “He’s harsh because I’m harsh on him.”
The remarks mark a shift from May, when Trump called Jeffries a “low IQ individual” on Truth Social after Jeffries labeled a Supreme Court voting-rights ruling “illegitimate.” Jeffries fired back on X, accusing Trump of “Jeffries Derangement Syndrome,” echoing a phrase Trump has used against critics.
Midterm Outlook
A Jeffries speakership looks increasingly plausible. A CNN poll shows Democrats leading Republicans by 8 points on the generic congressional ballot, while the Decision Desk HQ polling average puts the Democratic edge at just over 6 points.
Prediction markets echo the trend earlier this week. Polygon (CRYPTO: POL)-based Polymarket gives Democrats strong odds of winning the House, with a considerable chance of a full congressional sweep, though Republicans hold the edge to keep the Senate.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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