Fox News host Brian Kilmeade predicted that Democrats, having taken political damage over border security, will eventually come to President Trump seeking a deal on immigration reform, according to comments made on “Pod Force One” with host Miranda Devine.
Kilmeade argued that Trump’s extensive executive actions securing the US-Mexico border remain vulnerable to reversal if a Democrat wins the White House, which he said creates pressure on Trump to lock in a bipartisan agreement now.
“We’re all gonna get whiplash, and it’s not good for anybody,” Kilmeade said. “So I really do think the president’s under pressure to … do a deal.”
He said Democrats have grown tired of defending their record on the border. “I think the Democrats don’t want to deal with the border anymore,” he said. “They know it’s a loser for them … I think they’re going to tell the president, ‘You got the border. We’re going to need something for people here.'”
Kilmeade suggested that some form of legal status for migrants brought to the US as children, as well as for long-term residents without criminal records, could draw bipartisan backing in Congress next year, now under Democratic control. “There’s things that can be worked out where Republicans gonna have to bite their lip and Democrats gonna have to bite their lip,” he said.
In exchange, he suggested Democrats might have to accept mandatory voter ID laws and a path that does not include citizenship for migrants in the country illegally. He said Democrats would rather avoid the subject altogether. “It’s almost like, for them, it’s almost like men and women’s sports: They can’t win. So they want that issue to go away,” he said.
Eyeing 2028
Devine also asked Kilmeade about possible Republican contenders for the 2028 presidential race beyond the widely discussed names of Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Josh Hawley’s gonna be out there,” Kilmeade said of the Missouri senator. “I think that’s gonna be pretty clear.”
He said Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton remains a possibility, though family considerations could be a factor. “Tom Cotton, I think his kids are too young, but I wouldn’t say he’s not gonna do it,” he said.
Kilmeade also named outgoing Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp as someone who could appeal to Republicans looking to move past the Trump era. “If people feel as though they wanna turn the page on MAGA — I think you could honestly say he wasn’t anti-MAGA, but him and Trump didn’t get along — so that might be enough distance, because people tend to get sick of the person in power after two terms,” Kilmeade said.
He raised the possibility of a surprise candidate emerging from outside politics, pointing to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former Democrat, as someone still weighing a run. “There could be somebody who comes out of nowhere too, like Donald Trump did,” Kilmeade said. “Is there anyone from the business world that wants to jump in? You know, I think he is still thinking about it.”
Kilmeade said Trump administration insiders believe Kennedy’s ultimate goal is the presidency and that any future run would come as a Republican. “He’s already took the slings and arrows and background checks from his family … what else can they throw at the guy?” Kilmeade said, adding, “He’s certainly got the leadership and the charisma.”
Kilmeade also mentioned Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama and Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas as lawmakers who may not be ready for a 2028 run but could be considering future presidential bids.
