WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries inspired his new nickname for Democrats during remarks at an event in New York.
Speaking to supporters, Trump explained how he came up with the term “Dumocrats,” which he has increasingly used in speeches and social media posts to criticize Democrats and their policies.
“I was thinking about this character we have in the House. His name is Hakeem Jeffries. And he’s a low IQ person, very low IQ,” Trump said.
“And I watched what he was saying and what the horrible things he was saying, and I said, ‘He’s a dumb guy.’ I said, ‘Wait a minute. He’s a Dumocrat.’ That’s how I got the name,” Trump added.
SUFFERN, NEW YORK – MAY 22: U.S. President Donald Trump dances on stage after delivering remarks during a campaign and economic policy event in the Eugene Levy Fieldhouse at SUNY Rockland Community College on May 22, 2026 in Suffern, New York. Trump traveled to the Hudson Valley to help bolster the campaign of Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) as he seeks reelection in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most closely watched House races this November. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
The president then joked about altering the spelling of the word “Democrat,” saying the change reflected what he described as “dumb” Democratic policies.
“You take the E out. You don’t use the B,” Trump said. “They are Dumocrats. You know why? Because their policies are dumb.”
Trump also criticized Democratic-led cities during the remarks, claiming “the 25 worst cities are blue,” referring to areas governed largely by Democrats.
“Blue means Dumocrat,” he said.
Trump recently used the word to describe New York Gov. Kathy Hochul after she blamed federal officials for the Long Island Rail Road strike that shut down service for hundreds of thousands of commuters on Saturday. He also called Hochul a “Failed New York State Governor.”
The comments are the latest example of Trump’s long-standing practice of assigning nicknames to political opponents, a tactic he has frequently used throughout his political career against both Democrats and Republicans.
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The New York appearance comes as Trump continues campaigning aggressively ahead of upcoming elections.