Jeffries and Kushner Meet Privately as Midterm Attacks Fly
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-08-23 04:02:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Escalates Attacks on Jeffries Amid Bipartisan Tensions and Policy Stalemates
As the midterm elections approach, President Trump has intensified his personal attacks on Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader, calling him a “thug” and, at a May campaign event, labeling him a “low IQ” person who inspired Trump to deride Democrats as the “Dumocrats.” These remarks come as both sides ramp up their rhetoric, with Democrats and the president “savaging each other on the campaign trail with increasing fury.”
Policy Contradictions and Broken Promises
Trump’s record on bipartisan legislation has also come under scrutiny. This year, he refused to sign a bipartisan housing bill, dismissing it as “Warren centric” due to Senator Elizabeth Warren’s involvement. Despite repeatedly expressing openness to a deal with Democrats on immigration, Trump has consistently backed away from any such agreement. Most recently, he successfully lobbied Republicans to abandon a bipartisan border security bill in 2024, further highlighting the administration’s reluctance to compromise.
Trolling and Racist Imagery
In a recent Oval Office meeting with Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer, which was intended to avert a government shutdown, Trump positioned hats emblazoned with a “Trump 2028” logo in front of the Democratic leaders, trolling them with the suggestion he would run for a third term in violation of the Constitution. Following the meeting, Trump posted an A.I.-generated meme depicting Jeffries with a mustache and a sombrero, prompting Jeffries to call the image racist and challenge Trump to repeat the insult in person.
Public Posture Versus Private Engagement
Despite these public attacks, Trump has taken a different tone in private and in select interviews. When asked about Jeffries by Punchbowl News, Trump said, “I think he’s a nice guy. I’d probably get along with him very well,” and described their only meeting in his second term as positive. However, these comments stand in sharp contrast to his public disparagements and trolling behavior.
Conclusion
President Trump’s pattern of personal attacks, policy reversals, and provocative actions continues to define his approach to both governance and political opposition. While he occasionally signals a willingness to work across the aisle, his record and rhetoric suggest a persistent strategy of confrontation and escalation, leaving little room for genuine bipartisan progress as the political stakes rise.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/23/us/politics/jeffries-kushner-private-meeting.html