Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), who was elected on Wednesday to lead the Democrats in the Senate, has been on the receiving end of more political cash from Republican Donald Trump than any of his Senate peers.
Schumer was expected to take the leadership role since early last year, before Trump had announced his run for president. Schumer will lead the Democrats' efforts against Trump, whose position is bolstered by Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Schumer and Trump have a political relationship that goes back many years.
The first political donation from Trump, worth $1,000, came in 1996 when Schumer ran for a seat in the House of Representatives. The donations to Schumer continued through 2009, totaling $8,900. In 2010, Schumer received $1,000 from Donald Trump Jr., $1,000 from Eric Trump, and $4,800 from Ivanka Trump.
No other Democrat or Republican in the Senate has received more money from Trump than Schumer.
Trump said last year that he has a "good relationship" with Schumer.
"I’ve known Schumer for many, many years and I have a good relationship with him," Trump said. "The fact is, that I think it is time maybe that we all do get along."
Speaking on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Schumer said he is ready to work with Trump "on issues where we agree" and "go toe-to-toe against the president-elect whenever our values or the progress we made is under assault."
Schumer has reportedly spoken with Trump numerous times since last week's election.
"When we can agree on issues, then we're going to work with them," Schumer said. "We're not going to just, as some have done here in the past, say just because it's President Trump's idea or thought, we're going to oppose it."
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Schumer plans to announce populist economic and ethics initiatives that he believes Trump will be in favor of.