Manchin portrayed himself as a "[[conservative]]" in order to be elected, campaigning against the positions of the [[Democratic Party]] leadership on [[cap and trade]], [[gun control]], and the Bush tax cuts. As a Senator, however, he has shown himself to be left-wing. Manchin displays [[liberal values]] not only in his beliefs, but also in his behavior, using vulgar language in public.<ref>Weaver, Al (August 7, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/joe-manchin-i-dont-give-a-s-t-if-i-win-re-election/article/2630818 Joe Manchin: 'I don't give a s--t' if I win re-election]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Thomsen, Jacqueline (August 7, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/345589-manchin-i-dont-give-a-sh-t-if-i-win-reelection Manchin: 'I don't give a s---' if I win reelection]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Chakraborty, Barnini (August 7, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/07/manchin-says-doesnt-give-s-about-getting-reelected.html Manchin says he doesn't give a s--- about getting reelected]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref>
In 2016, Manchin expressed (in words) his willingness to work with Republican President [[Donald Trump]], and later voted for most of his cabinet nominations, and for [[Neil Gorsuch]] and [[Brett Kavanaugh]]. This earned him ire from left-wingers, who showed how left-wing they themselves are by demanding his removal from his leadership position and labeling him a "Democrat in name only," despite his numerous liberal positions.<ref>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/03/02/225000-progressives-sen-schumer-remove-joe-manchin-leadership</ref> However, whenever a close vote for a conservative bill or a Trump Administration nominee was held, Manchin took the liberal Democrat position. He voted against many Trump non-cabinet nominees.
President Trump, however, rejected the notion that Manchin is a bipartisan politician, saying that "he talks. But he doesn’t do anything."<ref name="ManchinTalks"/> Also according to Trump, Manchin's attitude is "'hey, let’s get together, let’s do bipartisan.' I [Trump] say, 'Good, let’s go.' Then you don’t hear from him [Manchin] again."<ref name="ManchinTalks">Chaitin, Daniel (December 28, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-tears-into-joe-manchin-he-talks-but-he-doesnt-do-anything/article/2644543 Trump tears into Joe Manchin: 'He talks. But he doesn't do anything']. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 28, 2017.</ref><ref>Moran, Sean (December 29, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/29/trump-trashes-manchins-unwillingness-compromise-talks-doesnt-do/ Trump Trashes Sen. Joe Manchin’s Unwillingness to Compromise: ‘He Talks, but He Doesn’t Do Anything’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 29, 2017.</ref> In April 2018, Trump repeated those sentiments, stating that "he talks, he grabs me, I grab him, he says hello, I say hello — but he votes against everything."<ref>Spiering, Charlie (April 5, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/04/05/donald-trump-in-west-virginia-joe-manchin-talks-but-votes-against-our-agenda/ Donald Trump in West Virginia: Joe Manchin Talks — But Votes Against Our Agenda]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 5, 2018.</ref><ref>Miller, S.A. (April 5, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/apr/5/trump-slams-joe-manchin-west-virginia-he-voted-aga/ Trump slams Manchin in W.Va. rally: ‘He voted against everything’]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 6, 2018.</ref>