Fox & Friends hails Trump's decision to side with Democrats on the debt ceiling as 'the art of the deal'

While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) reportedly stew over the fact that President Trump sided with Democrats on the debt ceiling, Fox & Friends lavished praise on the president for working across the aisle.

On Thursday, Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy surmised that Trump decided to accept Democrats' request, which increases the federal debt limit through Dec. 15 and includes Hurricane Harvey relief money, because he didn't "want a fight," and instead wanted to move on to "tax reform and other stuff we've got to do right now."

Republicans were pushing for a longer-term debt hike, and the hosts noted that conservatives are upset "big time" about Trump's decision. "This is a clear shot at Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan: 'Hey guys, if you can't get things done, then, listen, I'll go work with the Democrats,'" co-host Pete Hegseth said.

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Aside from ruffling GOP leadership's feathers, Hegseth noted this is also "very strategic from this president." "Clear out the underbrush of the stuff that could be contentious, that Washington likes to fight about, so you can clear the deck to fight for the stuff that really matters. Now he's got real leverage with DACA on the wall, which he really, really wants, and tax reform, and maybe one more shot at repeal and replace ObamaCare," Hegseth said.

"Isn't it refreshing to see them work together though?" co-host Ainsley Earhardt said. "I think they're using each other at this moment," Hegseth responded. "Absolutely," Earhardt agreed. "But isn't that the art of the deal?"

Catch the conversation below. Becca Stanek