Looks like the Democrats are changing their opinions about Trump.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser recently reflected on her meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, describing it as a productive and “forward-looking” conversation aimed at setting a positive tone for future collaboration. In an interview with MSNBC, Bowser acknowledged the unique relationship the nation’s capital holds with the sitting president, explaining that this meeting marked her third transition working with a president and her second with Trump. She emphasized the importance of discussing shared priorities as Trump prepared to begin his second term.
“I’ve had the privilege of working through transitions with two presidents now, and this meeting was about moving forward,” Bowser said. “It was candid, it was level-setting, and we’re focused on the key issues facing Washington, D.C.”
The mayor’s remarks came after a somewhat rocky relationship between her and Trump during his first term, particularly around events like the George Floyd protests. Despite past tensions, Bowser expressed optimism about finding common ground in the future. She also highlighted that the meeting was substantial, lasting between 45 minutes to an hour, allowing both leaders the time to discuss the issues that matter most to their respective constituencies.
When asked about the key points of their discussion, Bowser noted that crime in the District and other ongoing concerns were on the table. However, both leaders seemed committed to moving beyond past disagreements, focused on the bigger picture of the nation’s and city’s future.
Bowser’s optimism about cooperation comes after a series of public clashes during Trump’s first term. The most notable was in 2020 when, during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, she famously renamed a section of the street near the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza” and openly opposed the federal government’s use of law enforcement to manage the protests. Trump also criticized Bowser’s push to alter monuments in the city, an effort to reevaluate statues and landmarks linked to controversial historical figures.
Despite these past conflicts, Mayor Bowser expressed confidence in the potential for a productive relationship with the president as he enters his second term. “We’re committed to supporting a successful inauguration and working together on those shared priorities,” Bowser concluded. As Trump prepares to return to office, it remains to be seen whether this “forward-looking” approach will truly pave the way for cooperation or continue to highlight the deep divides that have characterized D.C. politics.