US Government Shutdown Looms Amid Trump-Democrat Funding Standoff

President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Democrats for their demands in the ongoing government funding negotiations, calling them "unserious and ridiculous," and has canceled a planned meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The government faces a shutdown starting October 1 unless a continuing resolution (CR) is passed, requiring bipartisan support in the Senate due to the 60-vote threshold. Republicans, backed by Trump, favor a clean CR to maintain current funding levels, while Democrats insist on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and oppose restrictions on spending practices implemented by the Trump administration. Trump accused Democrats of seeking excessive spending on issues such as healthcare for undocumented immigrants, transgender surgeries, and other policies he labels radical, which Democrats deny, focusing primarily on healthcare premium subsidies. The failure of both parties to reach a compromise has heightened fears of a shutdown, with Trump seemingly unwilling to negotiate further unless Democrats adjust their demands. Meanwhile, Senate and House Democratic leaders continue to push for negotiations, emphasizing the need to avoid disruption to government services and protect healthcare benefits for millions of Americans.