On Sunday’s broadcast of CNN’s State of the Union, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused President Donald Trump of orchestrating what he called the “largest pay-to-play scheme in the history of the country.” The Democratic leader used the segment to attack both Trump and the broader Republican agenda ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Jeffries framed the upcoming election cycle as a pivotal moment for Democrats to regain control of the House. He claimed Republicans have “failed to deliver anything meaningful for the American people” and argued that Democrats understand voters “deserve better than the country that you have received.”
Jeffries also focused on familiar Democrat messaging points, pledging to reduce the cost of living and overhaul the health care system. He blamed Republican leadership for what he labeled “toxic policies” that have, according to him, worsened the nation’s healthcare challenges.
The most direct attack came as Jeffries accused President Trump of corruption, stating that Trump is “running the largest pay-to-play scheme in the history of the country.” However, he offered no specific evidence or examples during the segment to substantiate the accusation.
Jeffries further predicted that Republican failures will ultimately sway voters against them in 2026. He claimed the GOP has made life harder for everyday Americans and failed to deliver on campaign promises.
The comments come as Democrats attempt to regroup and sharpen their messaging strategy. Jeffries’ remarks reflect the party’s efforts to energize its base through aggressive rhetoric against Trump and to refocus voter attention on issues like health care and economic relief.
