In Washington, Democrats have mostly refrained from discussing President Trump’s involvement in securing a fragile peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, coinciding with his attendance at a notable “peace summit” in Egypt.
While some Congressional members have praised the deal regarding Gaza and the return of the last of the 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas, only a handful have acknowledged Trump’s contributions. No significant left-wing figures have made any public statements.
Notably, far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), who have labeled the Israel-Hamas conflict as “genocide,” also chose not to comment.
Entrepreneur Mike Solana humorously remarked, “If you truly believe it’s genocide, doesn’t that mean Trump just ended it?” suggesting a complex dynamic.
Former President Joe Biden, previously criticized by Trump for his comments on the matter, has yet to share his thoughts.
Even the few Democratic lawmakers who have lauded Trump have mostly done so under pressure from journalists asking if he deserves any credit. For instance, former Vice President Kamala Harris responded somewhat awkwardly on MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” when prompted about Hillary Clinton’s praise for Trump.
Harris acknowledged, “I commend those involved in this process, including the Qataris and Egyptians,” but hesitated to credit the president directly.
A handful of Democrats did express appreciation for the hostage release and ceasefire; however, they, unlike Harris, avoided mentioning Trump specifically.
House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) commented on the emotional nature of hostages returning home after long captivity. He expressed hope for ongoing peace and healing.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) was critical of Trump, stating relief for the returned hostages but emphasizing the need for a just resolution in the region.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is among the few Democratic leaders to acknowledge Trump’s accomplishments, noted, “Today is a great day. We breathe a sigh of relief after the last hostage’s return.”
Clinton seemed to be one of the rare Democrats to recognize Trump’s efforts, commending him and regional Arab leaders for navigating the situation toward a potential future.
Former President Bill Clinton also followed her lead, asserting that Trump and others negotiating the deal deserved significant credit.
Even figures like former President Barack Obama hinted at potential outcomes in the Middle East without mentioning Trump.
Meanwhile, some former members of Biden’s administration claimed credit for laying the groundwork for this agreement. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested Trump expanded upon a plan initiated by Biden. He also emphasized the importance of principles Trump set early in the conflict.
Similarly, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan was prompted to acknowledge Trump’s role when discussing similarities to the framework the Biden administration envisioned.
During his speech in Israel’s parliament, Trump was received warmly, highlighting his administration’s peace strategies. He later traveled to Egypt to engage with leaders from over 20 nations, focusing on plans for rebuilding Gaza.
The newspaper has reached out for comments from Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders, Jeffries, and Biden.
