Democrats Reflect on Trump’s Political Moves at Hillnation Summit

During the Hillnation Summit on Wednesday, several prominent Democrats commended aspects of President Trump’s political strategies as the party seeks to analyze its recent losses and forge a new direction moving forward.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) referred to Trump as “a highly talented politician,” even though he holds differing opinions. Similarly, Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.), a key member of the House Intelligence Election Committee, acknowledged Trump’s foreign policy achievements.

This cautious recognition arises as Democrats attempt to regroup after losses in 2024, aiming to build momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.

“Donald Trump is a very talented politician, right? I don’t see eye to eye with him as a leader, but yeah, he’s skilled at what he does,” Khanna remarked during the event. He joined voices with progressive figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and socialist Zoran Mamdani, despite the evident political divide.

Khanna went on to suggest that Democrats may have been too judgmental towards the electorate that supported Trump.

“We seemed to think the issue was the voters. But really, it was about the party, and I think we acted a bit condescendingly towards the voters,” he shared with News Nation.

The Democratic Party faces tough challenges in redefining its identity following a significant defeat last year, which saw the GOP wrest control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. Currently, the party is experiencing some of its lowest approval ratings in decades, with many activists calling for new leadership.

Strategies to understand the past and current political landscape are essential, according to political strategists, as they seek to help the Democrats regain their footing.

“To learn how to win, you can’t just keep losing and repeating the same mistakes. You need to analyze what works for the winners. Trump, after all, won two of his three elections,” noted Democrat strategist Fred Hicks. “It’s crucial to figure out why Republicans have garnered so much support.”

Khanna, a progressive voice whose ambitions are sometimes overshadowed by talk of a potential presidential run, expressed frustration with his party for lacking a compelling economic vision over the years. He hinted at a possible presidential campaign in 2028, emphasizing the need for better economic ideas.

Himes, also speaking at the summit, offered some rare praise for Trump’s foreign policy, even while identifying his disagreements on other matters.

“We could discuss various aspects of this presidency and what we dislike, but we must give credit where it’s due on foreign policy,” Himes stated, acknowledging Trump’s pragmatic approach in the Middle East. He referred to Trump’s unexpected executive order lifting sanctions against Syria following the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime.

“Honestly, I was surprised by the opening to Syria. It caught me off guard…but credit where credit is due has to be given to the administration for supporting the Syrian regime,” he added.

While Himes previously dismissed Trump’s claims of success regarding military strikes on Iranian sites, he admitted to the summit that there was some “unquestionable” progress concerning Iran’s nuclear program backed by the U.S. and Israel.

“Though I still wrestle with the significance of that, whether it’s meaningful now or in the future,” he noted.

Acknowledging Trump’s victories could be beneficial for Democrats as they work to improve their credibility and express a willingness to collaborate across party lines.

“Today’s political climate suggests that if your team does something, it’s fine, but if another team does…not so much,” he reflected.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) noted the importance of bipartisanship, referencing her collaboration with Republican Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on legislation to combat deepfake pornography, which Trump recently signed.

“Despite our significant disagreements on many issues, we’ve managed to work together,” Klobuchar told Alex Bolton of Hill.

Next year, Democrats are likely to face traditional challenges during the presidential election, particularly in blue states, swing regions, and essential demographics.

With this in mind, the Democratic campaign is gearing up to create excitement around their party’s platform. Meanwhile, key figures in Washington are grappling with the controversies surrounding Trump’s immigration policies.

Overall, many believe there’s significant wisdom for Democrats to glean from Trump’s political approach, enabling him to captivate his base during campaigns. Democrat strategist Antojuan Sheilet offered his perspective: “In an election, you either win or you learn.”

“There’s certainly much to unpack from Trump’s political style, and we must break away from the notion of doing things the usual way,” he expressed.

Rep. Glenn Evie (D-Md.) highlighted the urgency for Democrats to adapt to the evolving media landscape, where Republicans currently hold the upper hand online.

However, Evie told Hill’s Judy Kurtz that he remains optimistic about Democratic prospects, especially considering the president’s declining approval ratings.