Axelrod: 'Pretty clear' Trump has no desire to work with Democrats

Veteran Democratic strategist David Axelrod says it is “pretty clear” President-elect Trump has no desire to work with Democrats on bipartisan solutions, pointing to Trump's social media posts and track record during his first term in the White House.

During a Monday night appearance on CNN, Axelrod told the panel that while the president-elect pledged to end foreign wars, lower prices of goods, crack down on crime and "take care" of the southern border while on the campaign trail, he has not shown his ability to cooperate with the other side of the aisle.

“If he does all those things, God bless him. Good for him ... and good for the country," he said on CNN's "AC360," adding that, "if there are places where the Democrats and Republicans can cooperate, that is a positive."

But, Axelrod continued, there is "not evidence in the past of particular desire to want to work with Democrats.

“If you read his social media feeds, that is pretty clear, even to this day. It would behoove him as it does Democrats to say, 'I have bigger things to do than air my grievances and go after my enemies,'" the strategist said. "I want to work with people where I can. Let‘s see if he does that.”

Trump has heavily criticized Democrats in recent months, particularly following his victory in the 2024 presidential election against Vice President Harris. In November, he argued that Democrats are “not in line” with the country’s thinking.

But, during his victory speech, the president-elect signaled he wanted to put divisions on the sideline and be the president of all Americans, arguing “success” will bring unity to the country.

"And I'm asking every citizen all across our land to join me in this noble and righteous endeavor. That's what it is. It's time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It's time to unite, and we're gonna try,” Trump said during the speech from his Mar-a-Lago resort Florida. “We're gonna try. We have to try. And it's gonna happen."

“Success will bring us together. I've seen that. I've seen that. I saw that in the first term — when we became more and more successful, people started coming together,” he continued. “Success is going to bring us together, and we are going to start by all putting America first.”

Some Democrats have expressed interest in working with Trump and Republicans on issues. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that Democrats, including himself, would “love” to work with the president-elect on a deal for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

A few progressives in Congress, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), have also expressed interest in working with Republicans on cutting down the defense budget, where the Pentagon’s high spending has drawn scrutiny from both sides of the aisle.

Topics

Democrats, not Trump, have been shattering our democratic norms

Democrats are patting themselves on the back for not trying to overturn an election they clearly lost. Don't forget that it's the first time they've done that since 1988, and that they've been ...
The Hill - 35m
Democrats still underestimate Trump

Despite his greatest political win, and arguably America’s greatest presidential recovery, Trump’s opponents continue to act as though his success is a fluke.
The Hill - 21h
Virginia special elections test Democratic enthusiasm as Trump takes office

Virginia is holding the first special election of the year in what is being billed as a test for Democratic enthusiasm ahead of the state’s gubernatorial race later this year. Democrats are widely ...
The Hill - 1d
Should Democrats work with Trump? Nancy Pelosi weighs in

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a long history of opposing President-elect Donald Trump. Pelosi spoke with CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator ...
CBS News - 1d
Anita Desai Has Put Down Roots, but Her Work Ranges Widely

Her new novella, “Rosarita,” takes place in Mexico, a country she finds so like her native India that, she says, “I feel utterly at home there.”
The New York Times - 1d
Congestion Pricing Has Begun in New York City. Here’s How It Works.

The tolling program, the first of its kind in the nation, will charge most drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours a $9 fee.
The New York Times - 3d
Democrats look for places to work with Trump 2.0

Democrats say one thing is certain: 2025 won't be 2017, when it comes to the start of the Trump administration. Two months after their grueling and disappointing White House loss to ...
The Hill - 3d
How the Democrats Lost the Working Class

The theory seemed sound: Stabilize financial markets, support the poor and promote a more secure, integrated world. But blue-collar workers were left behind.
The New York Times - 3d
Politics 2025 preview: Trump’s 2nd term, Democrat voices, more

Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins TODAY for an in-depth look at the political landscape of 2025. She discusses President-elect Trump’s upcoming administration, his plans for mass ...
NBC News - Jan. 1