Democrats are knocking on Trump's door, and he's letting them in. President Trump has been hosting a parade of prominent Democrats at the White House and Mar-a-Lago, a move that’s got the left’s woke warriors clutching their pearls. This isn’t the resistance they signed up for.
Trump’s been meeting with Democrats like it’s a bipartisan speed-dating event, signaling some are ready to ditch the protest signs for policy talks, The Hill reported.
From Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, the guest list reads like a who’s who of Democrats trying to navigate a post-election reality check. The party’s soul-searching after losing the White House and Congress in November 2024 has some rethinking their anti-Trump playbook.
Let’s rewind to January 2025: California Gov. Gavin Newsom met Trump at an airport, hat in hand, seeking wildfire aid. No grandstanding, just pragmatism. Actions have consequences, and Newsom’s move sets the tone for others.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was spotted at Mar-a-Lago earlier in 2025, proving even the scrappiest Democrats aren’t above a Florida summit. Then came Whitmer, who popped into the White House in April 2025, binder in tow, looking like she was dodging paparazzi. She later shared a stage with Trump in Michigan—talk about a plot twist.
Bowser, no stranger to clashing with Trump in his first term, took a softer approach last week in the Oval Office. She’s the second big-name Democrat to visit in a month, showing these meetings aren’t one-offs. The left’s old “resist at all costs” mantra is cracking.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy have also dialed Trump’s number, tackling state issues with the man they once vilified. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) even backed Trump’s tariff policies, a bold move for a House Democrat in a red-leaning district. The woke crowd must be fuming.
“As odious as Democrats find Trump, they have to navigate the world as it is,” said strategist Jamal Simmons. Nice try, Jamal, but that sounds like surrender dressed up as wisdom. Democrats are learning the hard way that tantrums don’t win elections.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, however, is sticking to the old script, calling for “mass protests” and “disruption” in a fiery April 2025 speech. “They have to understand that we will fight their cruelty,” he thundered. Good luck selling that to voters who just rejected the resistance.
“Never before have I called for mass protests,” Pritzker added. That’s a bold strategy—doubling down on what lost Democrats the 2024 election. Someone get this guy a memo on reading the room.
Whitmer’s White House visit and Michigan event with Trump weren’t accidents. “She knows exactly what she’s doing,” a Democratic strategist said. Yet, cozying up to Trump risks alienating the party’s base, who still see him as public enemy number one.
“She’s fully aware of the pitfalls,” the strategist continued. Pitfalls? Try landmines—Whitmer’s playing a high-stakes game that could backfire in a future primary. “Everybody is trying to figure it out in a way that’s best for them,” Simmons said. Translation: Democrats are scrambling to save their careers in a Trump-dominated landscape. It’s survival of the savviest.
“You cannot be seen as an appeaser,” warned a top strategist. Smart advice, but too late for some who’ve already shaken Trump’s hand. The Democratic base isn’t known for forgiving “traitors.” “The Democratic base is virulently anti-Trump,” strategist Eddie Vale noted. He’s not wrong—primary voters will likely punish anyone who strays too close to MAGA. Collaborators beware: the backlash is coming. “Down the road, it ain’t going to be a good look,” the top strategist predicted. Prophetic words for Democrats flirting with Trump’s orbit. In politics, memories are long, and voters don’t forget.
