President Donald Trump said that he believes he could work with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) if Democrats regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections, despite years of pointed political attacks between the two.
Asked whether he could do business with Jeffries as speaker if Democrats win the House majority, Trump suggested their public sparring is simply part of politics.
“I think he’s a nice guy,” Trump told Punchbowl News, recalling his 2025 White House meeting with the New York Democrat. “We had a good meeting.”
Trump acknowledged that both men have been highly critical of one another but said that would not necessarily prevent them from working together.
“He’s harsh on me because I’m harsh on him,” Trump said. “I’ve said bad things about him.”
Still, the president expressed confidence that the two could find common ground if necessary.
“Yeah, I think so,” Trump said when asked whether he could work with Jeffries. “I’d probably get along with him very well. I met him essentially once, and I think I’d probably get along with him very well.”
The comments mark a notable shift in tone from Trump’s past rhetoric toward Jeffries. Trump has previously called the Democratic leader “a low I.Q. individual” and urged Republicans to remove him from office. Jeffries has fired back by accusing Trump of suffering from “Jeffries derangement syndrome,” a play on the phrase “Trump derangement syndrome” used by some on the right to dismiss criticisms of Trump.
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Trump’s remarks come as early signs point to a competitive battle for control of the House in 2026. Recent congressional ballot polling has given Democrats a modest edge, consistent with the historical trend of the party out of power making gains during midterm elections.
Most recent surveys show Democrats leading by single-digit margins, though the fight for the House remains fluid. Ongoing redistricting efforts in several states could alter the number of seats Democrats would need to flip, meaning the national popular vote margin required to reclaim the majority may differ from previous election cycles.