Trump Says He Could Stop Insulting Democrats to Reach Deals
President Donald Trump said he could go six months without insulting Democrats if doing so helped him reach a deal with the new Congress. His remarks came in a preview of a 60 Minutes interview scheduled to air on November 8, after Democrats won a majority in both chambers of Congress during the midterm elections.
Interviewer Ross Douthat asked Trump about comments from Sen.-elect James Talarico of Texas, who said he would work with the administration on immigration. Trump said Talarico had made “very nice things” comments, but also acknowledged using the campaign nickname “Talefreako” for him. Trump added that he calls some Democrats “Dumocrats.”
Asked directly whether he could avoid insulting Democrats for six months to secure a deal, Trump answered, “Very easily.” He also pointed to conciliatory comments from Dr. Annie Andrews, who defeated his preferred candidate, Sen. Darline Graham, in South Carolina.
Talarico has called for immigration reform combining border security with legal paths to citizenship. He praised the administration’s border security efforts in one interview, while criticizing its enforcement tactics in another. Andrews said she was willing to work with Trump on border security, Medicaid cuts, the war and the cost of gas and groceries. She described her focus as delivering results, not pursuing retribution.
Trump Offers Insult-Free Dealmaking After Years of Political Jabs
After Democrats won control of both chambers, Trump said he could go six months without insulting them if it helped him reach a deal. The promise came in a 60 Minutes interview preview, alongside evidence that his combative style has not disappeared: Trump acknowledged calling Sen.-elect James Talarico “Talefreako” and said he also calls some Democrats “Dumocrats.”
Interviewer Ross Douthat raised Talarico’s willingness to work with the administration on immigration. Trump said the Texas Democrat had made “very nice things” comments, then said he could easily refrain from insults for six months. The contrast is the story: cooperation is being discussed, but the president’s own interview still included another jab at Democrats.
Talarico has proposed broad changes to immigration law, pairing border protections with lawful routes to citizenship. He credited the administration’s border security efforts in one interview, while condemning its enforcement tactics in another. His offer to work across party lines does not erase those divisions.
Trump also cited Dr. Annie Andrews, who defeated the Republican he backed, Sen. Darline Graham, in South Carolina. Andrews said she would work with him on border security, Medicaid cuts, the war and household costs. The incoming lawmakers are signaling a focus on results; whether Trump’s stated willingness to hold back insults helps produce agreements remains to be seen.
Trump Says He Can Set Insults Aside to Make Congressional Deals
With Democrats poised to lead both chambers, Trump said he could go six months without insulting them if that helped secure a deal. In a preview of a 60 Minutes interview, he answered “Very easily” when asked whether he could set aside the barbs to work with the new Congress.
The exchange followed discussion of Sen.-elect James Talarico, a Texas Democrat who has said he is open to working with the administration on immigration. Trump said Talarico had made “very nice things” comments. He also acknowledged using the nickname “Talefreako” during the campaign and said he sometimes calls Democrats “Dumocrats.”
The potential for cooperation is not limited to Talarico. Trump also pointed to Dr. Annie Andrews, who beat his favored contender, Sen. Darline Graham, in South Carolina. Andrews said she was willing to work with the president on border security, Medicaid cuts, the war and gas and grocery prices, emphasizing results over retribution.
Talarico has backed an overhaul of immigration law, combining border safeguards with legal routes to citizenship. He praised the administration’s border security work in one interview but criticized its enforcement tactics in another. The new Congress will bring sharp disagreements, but Trump’s answer signals that he says he can prioritize deals over personal insults.
Reported by The Washington Examiner, New York Post.
