Alex Brandon, Associated Press President Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. President Trump,...
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| Alex Brandon, Associated Press President Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. |
President Trump, in his first interview with 60 Minutes in five years, offered no new plan to end the month-long government shutdown, instead doubling down on placing the entire blame on Congressional Democrats. The shutdown, which leaves federal workers unpaid and threatens essential services like food stamp benefits, is poised to become the longest in U.S. history.
During the wide-ranging conversation with correspondent Norah O'Donnell, Mr. Trump called Democrats "crazed lunatics" who have "lost their way." He stated that his plan to end the stalemate is simply to "keep voting," asserting that Republicans are voting almost unanimously to end it while Democrats "keep voting against ending it."
A major sticking point in negotiations is the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Democrats are demanding that Republicans agree to extend government subsidies for the more than 20 million Americans enrolled in the health care plan. Mr. Trump dismissed Obamacare as "terrible" and "bad health care at far too high a price," but said he would only consider fixing it after the government is reopened.
The President expressed confidence that Democrats would eventually capitulate, telling O'Donnell, "And if they don't vote, that's their problem." He also suggested Senate Republicans should consider utilizing the "nuclear option" to end the filibuster, arguing that without it, the party could "do exactly what we want" and avoid losing power.
Mr. Trump adamantly refused to employ the negotiating tactics he used during his first term to end previous shutdowns, stating he would not be "extorted by the Democrats."
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