President Donald Trump offered unexpectedly cordial remarks about House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) during an interview published Thursday, describing the New York Democrat as a “nice guy” and suggesting the two could work together despite their history of public criticism.
The comments came during a wide-ranging interview with Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman on the outlet’s Fly Out Day show, as attention increasingly turns toward the upcoming midterm elections, which could determine control of the House of Representatives.
Trump and Jeffries have frequently exchanged criticism in recent years. The president has publicly mocked the Democratic leader, including sharing AI-generated images depicting Jeffries with a fake mustache and sombrero. Jeffries responded to those images at the time by calling them “racist.”
Despite that history, Trump adopted a noticeably different tone when Sherman asked about his impressions of the House Democratic leader.
Sherman noted that Trump had met with Jeffries in the past but suggested the two had not had many conversations since then.
“You had a meeting with Hakeem Jeffries a long time ago. I don’t think you’ve had many more conversations with him since then. Maybe you have. But what’s your read of him?” Sherman asked.
Trump responded by recalling their meeting in positive terms.
“I think that he’s a nice guy,” the president said. “I mean, I did [meet him], he was here. We had a good meeting.”
Sherman then pointed out that Jeffries has often been highly critical of Trump.
“He’s harsh on you,” Sherman said.
Trump acknowledged the criticism but suggested it reflects the back-and-forth nature of political battles.
“He’s harsh on me because I’m harsh on him,” Trump replied. “You know, I’m sure he wouldn’t be so harsh. I’ve said bad things about him.”
When asked whether he believed he could work with Jeffries if political circumstances required it, Trump answered in the affirmative.
“Yeah, I think so,” the president said.
Trump added that sharp political rhetoric does not necessarily prevent leaders from working together.
“Look, people are harsh on me. I’m harsh on them. That’s part of the world,” he said.
The president continued by telling Sherman that, despite their limited interactions, he believes the two could have a productive relationship.
“You cover it very well. You cover specifically Congress. You see a strange group of people, but I probably get along with him very well,” Trump said. “You know, I met essentially once. I think I probably get along with him very well.”
The remarks represent a contrast with the public exchanges between the two leaders, who have repeatedly criticized one another while leading their respective parties.
Elsewhere in the interview, Trump shifted his focus to the Republican Party, arguing that many GOP voters are frustrated with congressional Republicans as the midterm elections approach.
The president also declined to commit to supporting Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) for another term leading Senate Republicans.
The interview highlighted both Trump’s willingness to strike a conciliatory tone toward Jeffries despite their past disputes and his continued concerns about the state of the Republican Party heading into the next election cycle. While acknowledging the political attacks that have defined much of their public relationship, Trump suggested that personal differences would not necessarily prevent the two from working together if circumstances required it.
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