Trump Blames Democrats for Prolonged Government Shutdown, Says It Will End When They “Give In”

Washington, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump is blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown, calling them “crazed lunatics” who have “lost their way,” as the standoff threatens to become the longest in U.S. history.

The shutdown, now approaching a month in duration, is just days away from breaking the 35-day record set during Trump’s first term in 2018–2019. The deadlock centers on disagreements over health care funding and Affordable Care Act subsidies, which Democrats insist must be extended to help more than 20 million Americans maintain affordable coverage.

Trump, meanwhile, has refused to back down, saying the shutdown will end only when Democrats “vote to reopen the government.”

“The Republicans are voting almost unanimously to end it, and the Democrats keep voting against ending it,” Trump said. “They’ve never done this before. It’s happened 18 times, and Democrats always voted for an extension.”

The prolonged shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed without pay, while active-duty military personnel and National Guard members continue their duties with delayed paychecks. Millions of Americans could also see their November food stamp benefits disrupted if the impasse continues.

Trump renewed his criticism of the Affordable Care Act, calling Obamacare “terrible” and “too expensive,” though he offered no new plan to replace it.

“We should fix it. And we can fix it with the Democrats,” he said. “All they have to do is let the country open and we’ll fix it.”

The former president referenced the failed 2017 Republican effort to repeal the ACA, which fell short by a single Senate vote. Despite repeated promises to overhaul the nation’s health care system, Trump has yet to present a concrete replacement plan.

In previous shutdowns, Trump invited lawmakers to the White House to negotiate. This time, however, he has rejected that approach, accusing Democrats of attempting to “extort” him.

“I’m not going to do it by being extorted by the Democrats who have lost their way,” Trump said. “There’s something wrong with these people.”

Trump also said he supports the so-called “nuclear option” to end the Senate filibuster, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune has stated he is not in favor of the move.

Trump concluded by insisting Democrats will eventually have to relent:

“If they don’t vote, that’s their problem,” he said.

Stay Informed on the Government Shutdown

The ongoing shutdown continues to impact millions of Americans — from unpaid federal workers to families relying on federal assistance programs. As negotiations stall in Washington, the consequences ripple across the nation.

At GovernmentShutdown.net, we track every development, statement, and policy shift in real time — separating fact from spin to keep you informed.

Follow our coverage for updates on the shutdown’s duration, the latest from Congress and the White House, and how these decisions affect your community and the nation’s economy.

Stay aware. Stay informed. Because government shutdowns don’t just happen in Washington — they happen to all of us.