Trump Says He Can Work With Democrats While Hailing Stephen Miller as ‘MVP’

At a sunny press briefing outside the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Florida, former president Donald Trump sounded oddly optimistic. He said he believes the GOP can still find common ground with the Democrats who just swept the midterm elections. "I think we could do a lot of things together," he told the reporters, gesturing vaguely as if mapping out a future bipartisan playbook.

Trump’s upbeat tone was a sharp contrast to the bruising defeat his party suffered on Tuesday. Still, he didn’t shy away from naming the issues he thinks might bridge the divide – immigration, tax cuts, and broader economic development. "Immigration is one, the tax cuts. There may be certain things having to do with taxes to make it more convenient and better," he said, pausing a beat before adding, "A lot of economic development that we can do."

And then, almost as an after‑thought, he dropped a name that has been a lightning rod for the whole administration: Stephen Miller. The 41‑year‑old, who has been the architect of some of the most aggressive immigration policies in recent memory, was just announced as the incoming White House chief of staff, replacing outgoing chief Susie Wiles.

"He's a great fighter," Trump said, smiling. "He's been with me right from the beginning, 2015, before 2016. Very loyal, very smart. He's been an MVP every year." The praise felt almost reverent, as if Miller were a war‑hero in a political saga.

Democratic leaders, predictably, were less than impressed. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that they would “fight him every step of the way,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the likely next speaker, called Miller a “reckless extremist” and suggested he be fired rather than promoted. The backlash underscored how Miller’s elevation might actually make Trump’s talk of bipartisanship harder, not easier.

Trump also took a moment to reflect on why Republicans fell short in the midterms. He blamed a stalled Senate, higher oil prices, and a failed push for the SAVE America Act – a voter‑ID‑style bill – for alienating voters. "The Senate is getting nothing passed, and it's just killing our country," he warned, suggesting that legislative gridlock is a major part of the problem.

He even turned to the stock market for evidence, claiming the Democratic victories triggered a $3 trillion market plunge. While analysts say the dip was largely tech‑driven, Trump’s narrative was clear: Democrats winning means trouble for the economy.

Still, when asked directly if he’d be willing to sit down with the new Democratic majority, Trump said, "I'm very much open to it." Whether that openness will survive the reality of a Miller‑led White House staff remains to be seen. For now, the former president’s words sound hopeful, but the politics on Capitol Hill are anything but.