'Nice guy': Trump makes unexpected remark about Hakeem Jeffries

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump unexpectedly softened his public stance toward House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, calling the New York Democrat a "nice guy" and saying he could "probably get along" with him despite years of public attacks.

The remarks came during an interview with Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman on Thursday, August 6, when Sherman asked Trump whether he could "do business" with Jeffries if Democrats regain control of the House after the midterm elections.

Trump compliments Hakeem Jeffries

Sherman noted that Trump had met Jeffries only once and asked for his impression of the Democratic leader.

"I think that he's a nice guy. I mean, I did [meet him], he was here. We had a good meeting, I mean, look-" Trump began.

Sherman cut in, saying, "He's harsh on you."

Trump answered by acknowledging the back-and-forth between them.

"He's harsh on me because I'm harsh on him. You know, I'm sure he wouldn't be so harsh. I've said bad things about him," the president said.

Asked directly whether he believed he could work with Jeffries, Trump replied, "Yeah, I think so."

"Look, people are harsh on me. I'm harsh on them. That's part of the world," he added.

Trump then suggested their public criticism might not prevent a working relationship if circumstances required it.

"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. You know, I met essentially once. I think I probably get along with him very well," Trump said.

Shift from previous attacks

Trump's comments marked a noticeably different tone from his earlier public criticism of Jeffries.

The president has repeatedly clashed with the House minority leader, including sharing AI-generated images depicting Jeffries with a fake mustache and sombrero.

Jeffries condemned those images at the time, calling them "racist."

Despite that history, Trump repeatedly emphasized during the interview that personal political attacks are often mutual rather than permanent obstacles.

His remarks came in response to questions about whether he could work with Jeffries if the Democratic leader were to become House speaker or otherwise play a larger role after the next elections.

Trump also criticized Republicans

The interview also turned to Trump's own party, where he expressed frustration with congressional Republicans.

Trump argued that Republican voters were "very angry" with GOP lawmakers in Congress.

He also declined to commit to backing Senate Majority Leader John Thune for another term as the Senate Republican leader, leaving open questions about his support for Thune while simultaneously suggesting he could work with one of the Democratic Party's top congressional figures.