At the recent Hill Nation Summit, leading Democrats offered rare praise for former President Donald Trump as the party reflects on its losses in the 2024 elections. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) acknowledged Trump as a “very talented politician,” while Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) commended aspects of Trump’s foreign policy, signaling a new tone among Democrats seeking to regroup ahead of the 2026 midterms. These comments reflect a broader effort to analyze what went wrong and reestablish credibility with voters.

Khanna openly admitted the Democratic Party misjudged the electorate, stating, “We acted as if the problem was the voters,” when in fact, the issue lay within the party’s own approach. He also emphasized that Democrats lacked a compelling economic vision and expressed the need for a new direction. Although Khanna has not declared any 2028 ambitions, his remarks suggest he may take a more prominent role in shaping the party’s future.

Rep. Himes echoed this openness by crediting Trump’s decisions on Syria and Iran, despite significant disagreements with Trump’s overall agenda. He argued that acknowledging effective policies, regardless of party lines, could restore trust and signal that Democrats are serious about changing their approach. This sentiment was echoed by strategist Fred Hicks, who stressed the importance of learning from political opponents.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) highlighted bipartisan cooperation, citing her work with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on the “Take It Down” Act, a law targeting deepfake revenge porn. This cooperation exemplifies a growing willingness among Democrats to cross party lines for meaningful legislation.

Looking ahead, Democrats aim to rebuild support by modernizing their media strategies and offering a stronger, more affirmative message. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) emphasized the importance of energizing voters and capitalizing on Trump’s recent dip in approval ratings, suggesting that with the right message, Democrats could regain momentum by 2026.